Western Europe: Countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 disease activity through March. /update 5

Event

Several countries and territories in Western Europe have continued to report COVID-19 transmission through March. According to data through March 9 from the World Health Organization (WHO), the following countries and territories in Western Europe have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Community transmission

• UK: 4,223,232 cases

• France: 3,909,560 cases*

• Spain: 3,160,970 cases

• Germany: 2,513,768 cases

• Poland: 1,811,036 cases*

• Czech Republic: 1,335,815 cases*

• Netherlands: 1,123,909 cases

• Romania: 835,552 cases

• Belgium: 789,008 cases*

• Sweden: 684,961 cases

• Switzerland: 565,034 cases

• Serbia: 489,530 cases*

• Austria: 479,391 cases*

• Hungary: 475,207 cases*

• Croatia: 247,099 cases

• Ireland: 223,651 cases*

• Denmark: 215,264 cases

• Greece: 206,281 cases*

• Lithuania: 202,900 cases

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: 137,291 cases*

• North Macedonia: 107,479 cases

• Latvia: 90,997 cases

• Norway: 75,770 cases*

• Kosovo: 73,005 cases

• Finland: 63,110 cases*

• Luxembourg: 56,677 cases

• Cyprus: 37,230 cases*

• Andorra: 11,069 cases

• Iceland: 6,067 cases

• San Marino: 3,935 cases*

• Jersey: 3,220 cases

• Guernsey: 821 cases

Clusters of cases

• Italy: 3,081,368 cases*

• Portugal: 810,459 cases

• Slovakia: 323,786 cases*

• Bulgaria: 263,303 cases*

• Slovenia: 196,421 cases

• Albania: 113,580 cases*

• Montenegro: 80,191 cases*

• Estonia: 77,491 cases*

• Malta: 24,599 cases*

• Gibraltar: 4,249 cases

Sporadic cases

• Liechtenstein: 2,592 cases**

• Monaco: 2,028 cases**

• Faroe Islands: 660 cases

• Vatican City: 27 cases

No cases

• Isle of Man: 865 cases ( last reported case Aug. 25, 2020)

• Greenland: 31 cases ( last reported case March 5, 2021)

*Reporting an increase in active COVID-19 cases.

Context

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel
US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces
US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress
US CDC Global COVID-19 Pandemic Travel Notice
WHO: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
New England Journal of Medicine: COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions