Chart, page-5830

The reason some European countries are tightening their restrictions is at least twofold. Firstly, to avoid an anticipated logjam from impending influenza season. Hospitals are geared up to deal with pneumonia resulting from influenza in the November to February period however as we have already seen earlier on this year, many health systems became so overwhelmed with covid that they want to responsibly reduce case numbers as much as possible prior to annual influenza season. Secondly, in some cases, complacency has set in and thereby resulted in free flow of virus in social gatherings in particular. The new restrictions are targeted at reminding all to 'keep their distance' and help reduce the pressure on the health system.