[국제]Europe’s’third spread’ in earnest…records the highest number of confirmed cases around the world

[앵커]

Corona 19 infections are at their highest in all parts of the world, and signs of re-proliferation are clearing.

Particularly in Europe, as mutant viruses with strong transmission power spread rapidly, the third spread is in full swing.

Let’s take a look at the details with reporter Jo Soo-hyun of the International Department. welcome.

The situation in Europe seems serious. Please tell us about the recent spread.

[기자]

The third spread is rapidly progressing in various parts of Europe such as France, Germany and Turkey.

In France, there are currently 40,000 new confirmed cases a day.

Compared to last November, it soared to 88,000 people a day, which is not the highest, but it is still a high number.

In January and February this year, the average number of confirmed cases per day was in the early 20,000 range, but after March, the number of confirmed cases increased from 30,000 to 40,000.

The French government sees the British mutant virus as having a major impact.

In order to reduce the damage of the third pandemic, we have decided to enter a nationwide blockade again for a month starting tomorrow (the 3rd).

In Germany, the third spread, led by the mutant virus, is in full swing.

In the first week of February, the number of new confirmed cases, which averaged 9,000 per day, has recently exceeded 20,000.

Among the recent new confirmed cases, the proportion of mutations originating in the UK reached 88%.

Germany has decided not to block it altogether, and plans to significantly speed up vaccination through 35,000 general clinics nationwide starting on the 5th.

The World Health Organization’s European office pointed out that the vaccine supply in Europe is very slow, and stressed that the entire process from manufacturing to supply and vaccination must be accelerated.

[앵커]

Ahead of Easter, quarantine measures are being strengthened in European countries, especially in Spain.

You made it mandatory to wear a mask on the beach and in the swimming pool?

[기자]

Ahead of the Easter holiday, the Spanish government has announced a stronger quarantine measure.

All persons over 6 years of age are required to wear masks in all places, both indoors and outdoors.

This measure also applies outdoors, including beaches and swimming pools, and is in effect from the 31st, two days before.

Citizens have reacted in a variety of ways, so let’s listen to the residents of San Sebastian, a port city in western Spain.

[팻지 벨로키 / 산세바스티안 주민 : 해변에서든 어디에서든 마스크 착용에 찬성합니다. 전염을 막는 데 도움이 된다면 뭐든 준수해야 합니다.]

[로라 산타카나 / 산세바스티안 주민 : 당연히 조심해야 하지만 이번 조치는 조금 과합니다. 정상적인 삶을 살기가 어려워졌습니다.]

In the midst of these mixed pros and cons, the local tourism industry is complaining.

As tourism accounts for 12% of Spain’s gross domestic product, there are fears that this measure will hurt even more.

[앵커]

We looked at the situation in Western Europe. In Turkey, the number of new confirmed cases is exceeding the maximum each day.

[기자]

The number of new confirmed cases in Turkey on the 1st of the local time was 39,000,302.

It surpassed the record high of 37,000 people recorded the day before in a day.

Turkey lifted weekend blockades from the 1st of last month and resumed restaurant and café operations, which seems to have led to a faster spread.

On March 1, the number of new confirmed cases was 9,800, which was a quarter of the number of confirmed cases yesterday.

After normalization measures, it increased sharply.

As a result, the Turkish government has reintroduced weekend blockades starting this week.

Also, during the Islamic Ramadan period from the 13th to the 12th of the following month, we have decided to only allow delivery to restaurants.

[앵커]

Let’s move on to South Asia.

What is the situation in India, a country with a large population?

[기자]

Yesterday, the number of new confirmed cases in India surpassed 70,000 for the first time in six months.

The number of new confirmed cases in India, which reached 100,000 in September last year, fell below 10,000 in February.

The spread is intensifying again.

Here, the rate of increase in confirmed cases is much steeper than during the first pandemic last year.

On February 16, the number of new confirmed cases was around 9,000, but it has increased by nearly eight times in a month and a half.

Local experts analyzed that the number of confirmed cases has recently increased as residents’ quarantine posture has been loosened and the mutant virus has spread rapidly.

[앵커]

The spread of the US region has slowed so far, but there are signs of spreading again, right?

[기자]

First, the number of new cases has steadily declined in the United States over the past few months as vaccination has accelerated.

Now, about 30% of the population has been vaccinated at least once.

In recent years, the spread is not serious again.

The average number of new confirmed cases per day for the past week was 65,000, an increase of 22% from the previous week.

Wallensky, CDC director, has expressed concern, particularly with the growing prevalence of the British mutant virus.

In South America, the situation in Brazil is the worst.

On March 31, the number of new deaths per day was 3869, a record high.

The number of new confirmed cases surpassed 97,000 on March 25, and then declined over the weekend and then turned to a sharp increase, reaching 80,000 on the 30th.

Out of 27 states nationwide, 25 state public hospital intensive care units occupied more than 80%, and 18 states exceeded 90%.

Finally, eight mayors of Brazil issued a joint message calling for help to the international community, let’s take a look.

[브라질의 시장들 : 우리는 브라질의 시장들입니다. 도움이 필요합니다. 브라질 역사상 최대의 보건·인도주의적 위기를 겪고 있습니다. 코로나19가 회복 불가능한 피해를 초래했습니다. 심각한 수준의 감염과 사망 추세가 일상적인 풍경이 됐습니다.]

As the situation in other South American countries worsens, there is a movement to lock the borders again.

The Chilean government said it would close its borders from the 5th to the end of this month and block the entry and exit of not only foreigners but also their own citizens.

Bolivia said it would close its land border with neighboring Brazil for at least a week starting today (2nd).

Argentina also closed the land border, which had partially resumed, again from Monday.

In addition, flights departing from Brazil, Chile and Mexico have also been suspended.

As the weather in Latin American countries in the southern hemisphere continues to spread as the weather is getting chilly, the outbreak from Brazil continues to spread, fearing a more serious recurrence than before.