ICYMI: Has COVID-19 disappeared? Depends on where you are.

We continue to monitor the ebbs and flow of the pandemic so that we can stay alert to any potential challenges for global mobility program management. Over the last few weeks, some of us in the United States have asked ourselves, "Has COVID-19 disappeared?" But the reality is while it may feel like that and people may be acting like it has, in reality it hasn't. A new COVID variant is making its way through Europe and has become the dominant variant globally. According to the World Health Organization, the BA.2 subvariant, also known as “stealth omicron,” now accounts for 75% of COVID-19 cases globally. The lead researcher on COVID-19 for the WHO says this is the most transmissible variant of the virus we have yet seen. 

Let's look around to explore what is happening in various parts of the world.

1. Germany: Last week the country was reporting record high seven-day infection rates, and this comes as they head toward an easing of restrictions. The outbreak shows signs of worsening and causing “many deaths,” Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Twitter. Germany is in phase two of a reduction in restrictions with a "Freedom Day" scheduled Sunday to end all rules. Most remaining curbs were set to expire on March 20.
2. China: China is addressing the biggest surge during the pandemic, reaching records of new cases. On March 15, new cases more than doubled from a day earlier to hit a two-year high. Nationwide, China has reported more than 29,000 cases since the beginning of March, including those without symptoms, but also having just experienced the first deaths in over a year. Millions have again been placed in lockdown and stay-at-home orders are in place in the northeast (city of Changchun in Jilin province) as of March 21. This comes while restrictions that have been in place in Shenzhen are being eased, with public transport there resuming as of March 21. Two other cities — Shanghai and Xi'an — had also put in place some lockdown measures. 
3. Hong Kong: Hong Kong, which is facing its worst surge of the pandemic, recorded 16,583 new cases on March 19. The city’s total coronavirus infections exceeded 1 million on March 18, and its number of deaths has already surpassed mainland China’s. Currently, Hong Kong is suffering the world's highest COVID-19 fatality rate. Hong Kong airport is lifting the transit passenger ban.
4. South Korea: South Korea had its deadliest day yet of the pandemic on March 15, with 293 deaths reported over 24 hours. The country is grappling with a record surge in coronavirus infections, topping 600,000 daily cases on March 17, driven by the fast-moving omicron variant. South Korea led the world last week with an increase of 2,832,661 cases, representing a 42% jump. Starting Monday, the government will increase the limit on private gatherings to eight people from the current six. And starting April 1, fully vaccinated overseas travelers and travelers with a registered vaccination history with South Korea's Q-Code website will be able to enter the country without a seven-day quarantine period. 
5. United Kingdom: Seemingly at the beginning of its next surge, cases in the UK have more than doubled and hospitalizations are on the upswing. The UK has done away with most precautionary measures including mandatory testing for the virus on arrival or completing a passenger locator form. 
6. United States: The U.S. is seeing the new subvariant starting to have an impact. Reasons for the spike: the BA.2 omicron subvariant, removal of most COVID-19 restrictions and waning immunity from vaccinations and infections. The Daily (a New York Times-produced podcast) focuses in on the question as to whether the U.S. could see another COVID wave. The BA.2 variant currently accounts for about 25% of the cases, and in some places (such as New York, New Jersey and parts of New England), it is closer to 30-40%. Most expect to see an end to U.S. declines and an ongoing rise of cases over the next month.
7. France: With 82,356 new infections on average each day, with a steady rise beginning at the end of February, France has seen a 36% increase in COVID cases this past week. Last week, France also lifted most COVID-restrictions, including mask-wearing indoors despite the Santé Publique France (French health authorities) noting a 20% week-over-week increase in cases. 
8. Italy: Italy has seen a 43% rise in COVID cases in the past week. Italy's state of emergency (stato di emergenza) is scheduled to end March 31. In light of the country’s rising COVID infection curve, some health experts warn the rules are being relaxed too soon.

As we see cases exploding in Asia and rising in many European locations, and with pandemic fatigue worse than ever with many celebrating their new found "freedom," it will be interesting to see how cases track globally. Read this hot off the press Vox article to explore "How the next pandemic surge will be different."