What makes the matter even more dangerous in Europe is what experts say is that the old continent has not yet reached the peak of its spread.
Although initial studies showed a lower risk of serious illness or hospitalization due to “Omicron” compared to its predecessor, “Delta”, health care networks in Spain, Britain, Italy and others found themselves in very difficult conditions, according to “Archyde.com”.
On Friday, Britain began deploying military personnel to support hospitals suffering from a shortage of workers and severe pressure due to record cases of infection in the country.
“Omicron means more patients and fewer staff to treat,” NHS medical director Stephen Boyce said in a statement.
In the United States, hospitals are delaying surgeries to make doctors and beds available. In Spain, the health care network is under so much pressure that on the penultimate day of 2021 in the northeastern Aragon region, the authorities allowed the return of retired health care workers to work.
Sharp rise in infection rates
Infection rates in the Netherlands are also rising sharply among hospital staff, especially among nurses and their assistants, according to what was published by the newspaper “The Telegraph” following a survey of 8 major hospitals.
In the worst cases, one in four tests were positive, as is the case at the University Medical Center Amsterdam, where tests showed that a quarter of workers had Covid-19 before Christmas, compared to 5 percent a week ago.
Dutch hospitals are considering changing quarantine rules to allow infected staff without symptoms to return to work.
In Italy, the problem of injuries among medical personnel, which numbered more than 12800, is exacerbated, according to data collected last week, excluding unvaccinated personnel, who represent four percent of the workers.
Peak looming
In the latest attempt to bridge the gap in healthcare services, Italian medical authorities have canceled and rescheduled holidays for workers, and canceled or postponed surgeries not classified as urgent.
British Health Minister Sajid Javid said Friday that with the rate of hospital admissions rising to its highest level since last February, the British National Health Service is expected to suffer from more pressure due to the increase in cases of Covid-19 infection among the elderly.
“We are still seeing an increase in hospital admissions, especially with the increase in injuries among the elderly. This is worrying,” Javid said in radio statements.
He continued, “I think we have to be honest… when we look at the commission… we expect it to be very difficult over the next few weeks.”
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