Taiwan is fighting with the deadlier variant BA.2.2 that swept Hong Kong and got into China. Hence more deaths.

Portugal is dealing with the more virulent BA.5.1, which is only just starting to grow in Europe and Australia. Holding it’s own against BA.5.

Australia is play pretend there is no covid. #letitrip

Below, you can see the covid variantology for Portugal, UK, and Australia, and see where the deadlier variant BA.5.1 is spreading. Note WA.