Race begins for vaccines,amid spike in Covid cases

New Covid variants XBB.1.5, EG.5 and BA.2.86 have led to a resurgence in cases of Covid-19, particularly in the US, Europe and Asia. In late August, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) first reported an increase in transmission of Covid in the countries, particularly among people aged 80 and over.

Again in September, the ECDC raised concern over the “noticeable increase in signals of SARS-CoV-2 transmission” in European countries, among people aged 65 and older.

The agency said the rise in cases deviates from previously very low levels, and as per data from 24 countries there has been a rise in 14-day case rate.

Hospitalisation and intensive care unit admission levels were stable, but a few countries reported a rise in death rates from Covid, especially among older people. In total, 135 deaths were reported by 18 countries.

“SARS-CoV-2 continues to acquire mutations that enable its circulation at unpredictable times throughout the year. Recent transmission increases have coincided with the emergence of Omicron sub-lineages, particularly the XBB.1.5-like variants,” the ECDC said in its latest epidemiological report.