TY - JOUR
T1 - A look into the future of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe:
T2 - an expert consultation
AU - Iftekhar, Emil Nafis
AU - Priesemann, Viola
AU - Balling, Rudi
AU - Bauer, Simon
AU - Beutels, Philippe
AU - Calero Valdez, André
AU - Cuschieri, Sarah
AU - Czypionka, Thomas
AU - Dumpis, Uga
AU - Glaab, Enrico
AU - Grill, Eva
AU - Hanson, Claudia
AU - Hotulainen, Pirta
AU - Klimek, Peter
AU - Kretzschmar, Mirjam
AU - Kruger, Tyll
AU - Krutzinna, Jenny
AU - Low, Nicola
AU - Machado, Helena
AU - Martins, Carlos
AU - McKee, M.
AU - Mohr , S.
AU - Nassehi, Armin
AU - Perc, Matjaž
AU - Petelos, Elena
AU - Pickersgill, Martyn
AU - Prainsack, Barbara
AU - Rocklöv, Joacim
AU - Schernhammer, Eva
AU - Staines, Anthony
AU - Szczurek, Ewa
AU - Tsiodras, Sotirios
AU - Van Gucht, Steven
AU - Willeit, Peter
PY - 2021/7/29
Y1 - 2021/7/29
N2 - How will the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic develop in the coming months 49 and years? Based on an expert survey, we examine key aspects that are likely to influence 50 COVID-19 in Europe. The future challenges and developments will strongly depend on the 51 progress of national and global vaccination programs, the emergence and spread of variants 52 of concern, and public responses to nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). In the short term, 53 many people are still unvaccinated, VOCs continue to emerge and spread, and mobility and 54 population mixing is expected to increase over the summer. Therefore, policies that lift 55 restrictions too much and too early risk another damaging wave. This challenge remains 56 despite the reduced opportunities for transmission due to vaccination progress and reduced 57 indoor mixing in the summer. In autumn 2021, increased indoor activity might accelerate the 58 spread again, but a necessary reintroduction of NPIs might be too slow. The incidence may 59 strongly rise again, possibly filling intensive care units, if vaccination levels are not high enough. 60 A moderate, adaptive level of NPIs will thus remain necessary. These epidemiological aspects 61 are put into perspective with the economic, social, and health-related consequences and 62 thereby provide a holistic perspective on the future of COVID-19.
AB - How will the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic develop in the coming months 49 and years? Based on an expert survey, we examine key aspects that are likely to influence 50 COVID-19 in Europe. The future challenges and developments will strongly depend on the 51 progress of national and global vaccination programs, the emergence and spread of variants 52 of concern, and public responses to nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). In the short term, 53 many people are still unvaccinated, VOCs continue to emerge and spread, and mobility and 54 population mixing is expected to increase over the summer. Therefore, policies that lift 55 restrictions too much and too early risk another damaging wave. This challenge remains 56 despite the reduced opportunities for transmission due to vaccination progress and reduced 57 indoor mixing in the summer. In autumn 2021, increased indoor activity might accelerate the 58 spread again, but a necessary reintroduction of NPIs might be too slow. The incidence may 59 strongly rise again, possibly filling intensive care units, if vaccination levels are not high enough. 60 A moderate, adaptive level of NPIs will thus remain necessary. These epidemiological aspects 61 are put into perspective with the economic, social, and health-related consequences and 62 thereby provide a holistic perspective on the future of COVID-19.
U2 - 10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100185
DO - 10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100185
M3 - Article
VL - 8
JO - The Lancet Regional Health Europe
JF - The Lancet Regional Health Europe
SN - 2666-7762
M1 - 100185
ER -