Western Europe: Countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 disease activity through June. /update 7

Event

Several countries and territories in Western Europe have continued to report COVID-19 transmission through June. According to data through June 3 from the World Health Organization (WHO), the following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Community transmission

• France: 5,694,076 cases

• UK: 4,499,878 cases

• Spain: 3,693,012 cases

• Germany: 3,701,690 cases

• Poland: 2,874,092 cases

• Czech Republic: 1,662,608 cases

• Netherlands: 1,657,017 cases

• Romania: 1,078,338 cases

• Sweden: 1,076,993 cases

• Belgium: 1,066,957 cases

• Hungary: 805,302 cases

• Serbia: 713,207 cases

• Switzerland: 696,801 cases

• Austria: 645,834 cases

• Greece: 406,751 cases

• Croatia: 357,109 cases

• Denmark: 284,117 cases

• Lithuania: 275,545 cases

• Ireland: 263,191 cases

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: 204,252 cases

• Latvia: 134,162 cases

• Kosovo: 107,429 cases

• Finland: 92,913 cases*

• Luxembourg: 70,088 cases

• Andorra: 13,752 cases

• Iceland: 6,597 cases

• San Marino: 5,090 cases

• Jersey: 3,243 cases

• Guernsey: 823 cases

Clusters of cases

• Italy: 4,225,163 cases

• Portugal: 851,031 cases

• Bulgaria: 419,180 cases

• Slovakia: 390,129 cases

• Slovenia: 254,692 cases

• North Macedonia: 155,364 cases

• Albania: 132,360 cases

• Estonia: 129,909 cases

• Norway: 126,218 cases*

• Montenegro: 99,717 cases

• Cyprus: 72,626 cases

• Malta: 30,557 cases

• Gibraltar: 4,299 cases

Sporadic cases

• Liechtenstein: 3,104 cases

• Monaco: 2,508 cases

• Faroe Islands: 731 cases*

• Vatican City: 26 cases

No cases

• Isle of Man: 1,590 cases ( last reported case May 1, 2020)

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

*As of June 3, these countries are reporting an increase in active COVID-19 cases.

Context

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; however, several COVID-19 vaccines have been made available and distributed in some countries. Monitor government vaccination schedules, and get a government-approved vaccine when eligible and when it is offered. All individuals, including vaccinated individuals, should continue to prioritize basic health precautions as long-term immunity against COVID-19 is still being investigated.

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