The capital of England turns red: "A new strain of the virus causes a sharp rise in morbidity" • The general closure in the Netherlands will last about five weeks: "We will have to bite into the pickled apple"
Blazers on the streets of London // Photo: Reuters
As in the US, Europe is also trying to deal with a high morbidity situation alongside the beginning of the population vaccination phase.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced yesterday that a new strain of corona virus has been identified and that it is causing a "very sharp and exponential" increase in infection and morbidity in the south of England.
Following the sharp rise in morbidity, London on all boroughs and parts of Essex and Hartfordshire will turn red from midnight on Tuesday to Wednesday.
In some areas, the number of cases doubles each week in all age groups.
Due to the transition to red - pubs will be closed, audience attendance at sporting events will be banned and visits between households will be restricted.
While health authorities are examining the severity of the mutation, in Scotland they have started vaccinating the elderly population in nursing homes.
The first to be vaccinated there was 90-year-old Annie Ines.
"It's wonderful to get vaccinated before Christmas," she said.
The first vaccination phase in Scotland will include 93 nursing homes.
At the same time, following the rise in morbidity in the Netherlands, the country will enter a general closure until 19 January.
Under the restrictions, shops other than essentials, schools, gyms, museums and hairdressers will be closed.
"We have to bite into the very sour apple before things get better," said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Neighboring Germany, too, is facing a sharp rise in morbidity.
Following this, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Tuesday a closure that will begin next Wednesday and include the Christmas period until January 10.
Yesterday, 330 deaths and about 14,400 new infections were reported.
Although Pfizer's vaccine was developed in collaboration with a German company - a significant amount of vaccines will arrive in the country only next month.