Europe, faced with a powerful second wave, exceeded 250,000 deaths from Covid-19 on Sunday, October 18, leading Belgium to institute a curfew on Monday, October 19, and Italy and Switzerland to announce in turn further tightening of restrictions.
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More than 250,000 dead in Europe
More than 250,000 deaths from the new coronavirus have been recorded in Europe according to an assessment carried out by AFP from official sources on Sunday at 3 p.m.
In total, 250,030 deaths from Covid-19 have been declared in Europe (for 7,366,028 cases), of which more than two thirds in the United Kingdom (43,646 deaths), in Italy (36,543), in Spain (33,775), in France (33,392) and in Russia (24,187).
More than 8,000 deaths have been recorded in the last seven days (8,342), the heaviest toll over a week in the region since mid-May.
Curfew in Belgium
In Belgium, cafes and restaurants close for four weeks on Monday and a curfew comes into effect from midnight to 5 am to stem the "
skyrocketing
" of the epidemic.
On Friday, the country of 11.5 million inhabitants recorded nearly 192,000 cases of coronavirus and 10,327 deaths, making it one of the European countries most bereaved by the pandemic reported to its population.
New restrictions in Italy
In Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Sunday a new series of restrictions on bar-restaurants, the ban on local festivals and fairs and amateur team sports, as well as the extension of teleworking.
These measures “
should enable us to face the new wave of contagion which is severely affecting Italy and Europe.
We cannot waste time.
We must implement measures to avoid a new general confinement which could seriously jeopardize the economy,
”explained Giuseppe Conte.
The Italian government released an additional 39 billion euros on Sunday to try to revive the national economy.
Demonstration against restrictions in Prague
Czech police used tear gas and water cannons on Sunday in the face of a violent protest in Prague against measures taken by the government to counter the Covid-19 pandemic.
South African Minister of Health positive for Covid-19
South African Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize announced Sunday evening that he had tested positive for Covid, two days after the country passed the milestone of 700,000 recorded cases.
Switzerland: wearing a mask in confined spaces
Wearing a mask will be mandatory from Monday in closed public places throughout Switzerland, among other measures to try to stem the "
exponential
"
growth
of cases.
This obligation will also apply at stations and airports as well as at bus and tram stops.
The virus survives 9 hours on the skin
The coronavirus remains active on the skin for nine hours, Japanese researchers have found, confirming the need for frequent hand washing.
The pathogen that causes influenza survives on the skin for about 1.8 hours, says the study published this month in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
More than 1.11 million deaths worldwide
More than 1.11 million deaths from the new coronavirus have been officially recorded worldwide, according to a count made by AFP from official sources on Sunday.
In total, at least 1,111,152 deaths for more than 39.7 million cases, have been declared.
The United States is the most bereaved country in the world with 219,666 dead, followed by Brazil (153,905), India (114,031) and Mexico (86,059).
Israel: beginning of deconfinement
Israel has embarked on the first stage of gradual deconfinement, which will last until February 2021, after a month of restrictions.
Israelis are now allowed to travel more than a kilometer from their homes.
Slight easing in Melbourne
Australia has announced a slight easing of restrictions in Melbourne, its second largest city, after a steady decline in new infections.
New turn of the screw in Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Sunday evening a new series of measures to stem the upsurge in Covid-19, including restrictions on bar-restaurants and the extension of teleworking.
Saëb Erakat hospitalized in Israel
The Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erakat, one of the best known Palestinian figures abroad, infected with the new coronavirus, was hospitalized in an Israeli establishment after a deterioration of his state of health, corroborating sources indicated.
