Outbreaks in Germany.... is the same thing happening in Italy, Spain, France...?

[MarcelineMissouri]

I just wondered as the German outbreaks have featured in the news quite a lot but I haven’t seen anything similar for other European countries. Has anyone heard of any? Or anyone living there able to say how things are at the moment?

Hopeful bump

I was wondering the same

The outbreaks in Germany have been solely contained to meat factories haven’t they? Not general community transmission? We e had a few outbreaks in meat factories in the UK too. It’s probably happened in other factories in Europe but so long as it’s contained, tracked & traced, no need to make a huge fuss or it be headline news in another country 🤷🏼‍♀️ It’d be more concerning if a huge community outbreak occurred. Outbreaks in work places are going to happen & fairly easy to manage!

I haven't seen anything but I know the German outbreak began in ameat packing factory - the same type of location as the outbreak in Anglesey

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53134766

In both those instances, it looks as if it is very localised to the people working in the factory. That's horrible for them and their families but at least it is easier to contain and prevent further transmission

I think the cafes, hairdressers , etc have been open for some time in Germany. Things also seem to have been going back to the old normal in France so I am hoping this is a good sign.

@bol87 I don’t think so - Germany have a tower block of 700 people quarantined at the moment as well which I think is separate and I’ve also read reports of various other outbreaks
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53131941

I realise overall their cases are still low and hopefully these will not spread any further, i was just wondering if this was happening in France/Italy/Spain as I’m only hearing about Germany for some reason!

Much of the outbreaks are due to precautionary isolating and increased testing, no country is like it was or seeing a second wave.

I’m also interested in what happens when, or now that, Spain and Italy are letting tourists in

I think Portugal have an outbreak in the capital so have brought back some lockdown measures.

South Korea says it has started its second wave, albeit with v low numbers
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-53135626
I’m not sure how China is describing the Beijing outbreak. At the moment though they look contained & localised, which is encouraging.

S Korea is deeming a tiny number of cases a second wave. I’ve no idea why. It’s hardly a second wave just yet. Unless they are going to describe every outbreak as one!

17 new cases.. 🤨

Apart from Beijing I’ve not heard anything. That started in the food market and spread. Parts of Beijing were locked down but I’ve not heard anything for a few days so hopefully they’ve contained it.

Italy had a small outbreak but buried the news.

The honest answer I feel is that we will be the very last to know! Because there is no way they are going to compromise their highly lucrative summer season for a few outbreaks, no way. Not because they are being unkind but because the economy is absolutely tanking. They have no choice but to open.

We will only find out when the 'controlled' small outbreak is out of control and spreading like wildfire, and creating another wave....only then will it come to light.

I am afraid we are all just sleepwalking into the second wave, like we did with the first. Acting far too late to stop the inevitable. Unbelievable.

I read this article yesterday, which mentions outbreaks in France as well as other countries. I've no idea how accurate it is but I thought the numbers of people currently in hospital in France and those in intensive care seemed quite high.
www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/France-reports-216-Covid-clusters-prompting-health-warning-from-Sante-Publique-France

Theres a bit of a common theme with the German outbreaks, migrant workers from Romania and Bulgaria who live in overcrowded accommodation and possibly haven't had information adequately translated or help provided by the german authorities. Some of the meat plant workers, work together, live together and travel on buses together, its no wonder there's transmission. If those conditions exist in any other countries,they'll probably have outbreaks too.

I don't get the Beijing outbreak.

UK - population of C67m. 1400 cases a day on average. Alert level downgraded to 3.

Beijing - population C22m. 106 cases in 5 days. Alert level upgraded to severe.

There's no global descriptor.

Afaik the tower block in Germany was shut because it housed a large population of the meat packing plant. There were police patrols as 300 people tried to get out. They were also bringing in interpreters as a high proportion are Romanian etc.

X posts WB

There's definitely an uptick in the number of positive cases here in Berlin, though I think not many serious cases -- they are really testing loads of people now, and the tracing app has been rolled out.

There is a big housing complex that has been quarantined because of a cluster of cases, apparently it is very overcrowded which might help explain that.

I don't think it's too bad given that schools have been back (with restrictions) for about six weeks, restaurants and shops open for a month, and for weeks people have been ignoring all the rules and having big parties etc.

But, they are now going to fine people who don't wear masks on public transport, and maybe some restrictions will come back if cases spiral. Schools are done this week anyway.

I don’t understand the South Korea situation. Surely a ‘wave’ would involve huge numbers. Otherwise it’s a small outbreak? Is it the media calling this or S. Korea?

I know it was the media saying Germany were having a second wave and focusing on the R rate. When in reality it is specific outbreaks that are under control.

I wish we’d never discussed the R rate as people don’t seem to understand. When the number of infections get very low then even a small outbreak will push the R rate up.

Ah @dreamingbohemian I didn’t realise that about Berlin. Good to get an update but yes everything has been open for 6 weeks, I think even gyms are open over there?

Hopefully the tracing app will work to get those outbreaks under control.

Pigeon I think economic reality is a factor, understandably so.

Hopefully someone from either of the three countries can update, I’m interested what is being reported in your media atm?

Yes everything has been open in Germany for a while now -- and honestly, people have been ignoring distancing for quite a while here in Berlin because the situation has never been very serious. So given all that, the numbers don't seem too bad.

I don't think the local media here are calling it a second wave, it is more that there are still some outbreaks and because the tracing is rather well done they are testing lots of people surrounding those. So there are lots of positive tests but still a lot of asymptomatic people.

They still have all those old enormous communist apartment buildings here so they are testing hundreds of people (even if asymptomatic) if there are a couple cases in one of them.

According to DH’s friend who lives in Spain- there are currently break outs of Covid. His area has been locked down again as a result.

He’s advising not to go on holiday there as there’s a risk of getting stuck and unable to leave- he says ...

France have now a colour coded regional alert system, similar to a traffic light system, when there is an outbreak they will lock the area down.
It is a very good idea and prevents the heavy handed option of country wide lockdown, but when it comes to travelling to France, how will you know that it won't be locked down or about to be? It is not as if you can just turn around and go home. There are currently 216 clusters of infections in France. Which sounds quite high to me.

www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/France-reports-216-Covid-clusters-prompting-health-warning-from-Sante-Publique-France

Tons of German tourists already back in Italy. Not all wear masks in public (as is the guideline), Hotels are nearly full and offer buffets even. I am watching cautiously.
I have close family in Italy and will not visit for now. IMO they are letting tourists in far too early - decision made for economic reasons not health reasons!!