The United Kingdom has determined that there are more than 9,000 Govt-19 cases related to Euro 2020 football matches.
Experts say the competition is “a significant public health risk”, The Guardian writes.
In an analysis conducted by British authorities, more than 85% of all cases detected during the 49-day period, which included football matches, concerts and outdoor parties, were linked to eight euro matches, with special focus on the semi-finals and final.
The study found that there were 9,402 positive tests for supporters who attended the Euro Games, with 3,036 people reporting symptoms within two days of the Games, claiming they may have already been infected while on the field.
At other locations and events under study, The Guardian reports that the number of cases is similar or lower than the overall incidence rate recorded during that period.
“England’s attendance at Euro 2020 and the final posed a significant risk to public health across the UK, even when England were playing abroad,” the report says. “This risk arose not only from the individuals who participated in the games, but also from the activities undertaken during the trip and the social activities associated with it.”
In May, hundreds of supporters of England’s Manchester City and Chelsea traveled to Porto as part of the Champions League this time around.
Porto was chosen to replace Istanbul, taking into account the fact that Turkey was part of the United Kingdom ‘red list’ following the unresolved travel difficulties of English supporters, justifying the change in UEFA ‘status’ at the time with the end of ‘champions’ driven by the inherent controls of the Kovit-19 epidemic.
Jane Austen is a writer and contributor covering culture, literature, lifestyle, and society. Her work focuses on thoughtful storytelling, social trends, and the issues shaping everyday life, delivering engaging and accessible content for readers across the United Kingdom.
