04 Jun 2021 | 01:49 PM UTC
Western Europe: Countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 disease activity through June. /update 7
COVID-19 activity continues across several Western European countries and territories through June. Maintain basic health precautions.
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