The Corona crisis continues to have Europe under control. France is hoping for a slow decline in infections - but the intensive care units remain full. News ticker.
- So far, Sweden has pursued a different strategy in the Corona * crisis than most European countries.
- In a press conference, the WHO Europe chief warns of easing efforts.
- Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus and the corona news from Germany. You can also find current case numbers in Germany as a map. The following recommendations for corona protective measures are currently available.
Update of April 12, 8:50 p.m .: Far more than 14,000 people have died in France as a result of Covid-19. In total, 14,393 people have died in hospitals, nursing homes and old people's homes since the beginning of March due to the new corona virus, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday evening. For the fourth day in a row, the number of people treated in the intensive care unit decreased slightly. There were 220 admissions and 255 layoffs there, so there was a small decrease of 35. Within 24 hours, 315 people died in hospitals - a little less than the previous day.
France continues to be hard hit by coronavirus
"These data confirm that the epidemic in our country is continuing dynamically and continues to be hard hit," said the Ministry of Health. One observes the beginning of "a very high plateau", but must remain vigilant, because the hospitals and intensive care units care for a very high number of patients. However, the containment measures were beginning to take effect. "We must not let up in our efforts," warned the Ministry.
France has at least 5,140 corona deaths in retirement and nursing homes alone, which is more than a third of all deaths in the country. According to the authorities, 24 percent of patients in intensive care units are younger than 60 years old. Since the onset of the coronavirus epidemic, more than 27,186 people have left the hospital cured - this includes tens of thousands who have recovered without being hospitalized.
Corona virus in Europe: President Macron will make another TV address in France
French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver another speech to the nation at 8 p.m. on Easter Monday. In his fourth television speech on the Corona crisis, the head of state wants to explain the further measures in the fight against the spread of the lung disease Covid-19. This also includes a further extension of the curfew, possibly beyond May 10, which has been in effect in France for around four weeks.
For the fourth time during the Corona crisis in France, Emmanuel Macron wants to make a TV address.
© dpa / Ludovic Marin
Coronavirus in Europe: death toll in Spain increases significantly again
Update of April 12, 1:15 p.m .: Spain has to accept a setback on Corona numbers on Easter Sunday. Now that the death toll has been on the decline for three days, the death toll has increased significantly. In 24 hours, 619 people died of coronavirus in Spain, reports the Spanish Ministry of Health. On Saturday, 510 deaths were the lowest number of fatalities reported in one day in almost three weeks.
However, the growth rate for new infections remained comparatively low. Just under 4,200 new cases were registered within 24 hours, an increase of just under 2.6 percent to a total of 166,000, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday. Two weeks ago, the rate was almost 20 percent.
According to Johns Hopkins University, 166,019 people in the country are currently infected with the virus, and 16,972 people died as a result of the disease. 62,391 people recovered from an infection.
Coronavirus deaths remain high in Spain.
© dpa / Jesús Hellín
Coronavirus in Europe: Von der Leyen sees long restrictions for older people - vaccine at the end of the year?
Update from April 12, 12.25 p.m .: What will happen to Germany and Europe after the Corona crisis? According to Ursula von der Leyen , President of the European Commission, one section of the population in particular must continue to face restrictions. As the 61-year-old explains in an interview with Bild , the measures taken are to be relaxed step by step in the coming days.
"We do not give a date because the member states are at very different stages of the pandemic and each country decides for itself," said von Leyen. According to this, however, senior citizens in particular must continue to live with restrictions for the time being.
“Without a vaccine, senior contacts must remain restricted as far as possible. I know that is difficult and loneliness is oppressive. But it's about life - not just our own. We have to remain disciplined and be very patient, ”von der Leyen explains in the conversation.
Corona vaccine at the end of the year?
Schools and daycare centers could open again beforehand, the Commission President thinks: "Children and young people will have more freedom of movement earlier than old people and people with previous illnesses."
In the coming week, von der Leyen wants to present the guidelines and recommendations of the EU Commission for an exit strategy from protective measures against the corona virus.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also hopes that a vaccine against the corona virus could be developed by the end of the year. In their view, two of the most promising research teams are based in Europe. "They are planning to start clinical tests soon," said von der Leyen of the "Bild am Sonntag".
Corona virus in Europe: 19-year-old dies in a chase
Update of April 11, 10:55 pm: The death of a 19-year-old from a car chase with the police has triggered unrest in Belgium despite Corona exit restrictions. The police arrested 43 people in the incident in the municipality of Anderlecht in the Brussels-Capital region by evening , the Belgian news agency Belga reported.
In spite of the ban on meetings, angry people gathered in several places in Anderlecht during the day. When the police tried to break up the accumulations, the situation escalated, according to Belga. The officials were partially thrown at stones . The RTBF broadcaster wrote of "extreme tensions". Videos show how a man shoots into the air with a gun that he apparently stole from a police officer. The situation is now under control, Belga wrote, citing the police.
The 19-year-old had fled a police patrol with a scooter the night before and eventually collided with a police car . He was killed in the process.
Update at 10.30 p.m .:
In Bulgarians, as of Sunday, people are obliged to
Cover your mouth and nose in public
. The government ordered this in Sofia a week before the Orthodox Easter celebrations. The regulation to curb the coronavirus pandemic should apply until April 26. In Bulgaria, unlike many other European countries, the churches are still open. However, the government has asked people to pray at home.
Since breathing masks are scarce , as in other countries, there will be no fines if people without a mask should be found in public, Prime Minister Boiko Borissow said. However, they would be instructed to cover their mouth and nose with scarves, for example.
Coronavrus in France: Positive development in the number of patients in intensive care units
Update at 8:25 p.m .: We have positive news from France. The number of Covid 19 patients treated in the intensive care unit decreased for the third day in a row. According to health director Jerôme Salomon, 6883 people are currently in an intensive care unit. There were 121 more on Friday.
The number of deaths within 24 hours has also decreased. In hospitals, 353 people died of the consequences of the lung disease, 290 in old people's homes and nursing homes. The number of people who have died since the outbreak of the pandemic is 13,832.
However, Salomon warned: "It is far too early and unreasonable to make any predictions about the future." "The pressure in the hospital is still very high." He noticed that people did not always keep the physical distance.
Update at 3:37 p.m .: In Sweden , more than 10,000 infections with the novel corona virus have now been detected. This emerges from figures released by the Swedish health authority on Saturday afternoon. 887 people with Covid-19 disease have thus far died in the Scandinavian EU country, including more than 500 in the region around the capital Stockholm alone.
Corona virus in Scandinavia: Sweden with the highest number of infections and deaths
This means that Sweden has had the highest number of infections and deaths in Scandinavia so far - however, based on its population of around 10.3 million people, the country is by far the largest in the region. In contrast to the neighboring countries, the Swedish government is pursuing a far more liberal strategy in the fight against the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus : The Swedes are allowed to continue in restaurants and cafés, schools and kindergartens are still open. Public gatherings are only prohibited for more than 50 people.
In Denmark , where around 5.8 million people live, around 6000 cases of infection and 260 deaths were reported by Saturday, plus a total of just under 200 infections in the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which belong to the Danish kingdom. Sars-CoV-2 has been detected around 6300 times in Norway with its 5.4 million inhabitants; there have been 114 Covid-19 fatalities so far, and Finland , which is similarly populated, has around 2600 infections and 42 deaths. There are almost 1700 infections and seven deaths of people with Covid 19 disease on the North Atlantic island of Iceland .
Coronavirus / Europe: Spain reports the lowest number of deaths in over three weeks
Update at 12.52 p.m .: In Spain , the situation seems to be slowly but surely relaxing. The Iberians are reporting further successes in the fight against the corona pandemic .
With 510 new deaths within the past 24 hours, Saturday's lowest official value since March 23 was registered. The total number now amounts to around 16,353, said the Ministry of Health in Madrid. The day before, 605 dead and 683 dead on Thursday. The sad record on April 2 was 950 new deaths within 24 hours.
The growth rates for new infections have remained comparatively low for days. The number of infections rose by less than 5,000 or about three percent to around 162,000, according to the ministry's daily balance sheet. At the same time, the number of corona people who are considered to have recovered has increased to almost 60,000.
Coronavirus in Europe: Ireland extends exit restriction - 7000 people tested positive
12.41pm update: The Irish government has extended restrictions on freedom of movement in the country due to the corona pandemic until May 5 . This was announced by Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday evening.
"I know that many of us want to know when normalcy returns and life becomes the way it was," said Varadkar at a press conference. "The truth is that no one can say for sure when it will be, or how our lives will change when the time comes," said the head of government.
Ireland has had strict freedom of movement requirements since March 27 to curb the spread of the coronavirus . Except for shopping, playing sports and working, people are no longer allowed to leave their homes.
As of Friday, 263 deaths related to Covid-19 lung disease were registered in the country. So far, more than 7000 people have tested positive for the corona virus.
Coronavirus in France: Marcon delivers a speech on Monday - what will he announce?
Update April 11, 12:00 noon: France is suffering from the coronavirus pandemic . The situation now seems to be under control. On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron wants to deliver a highly anticipated speech. You can find all information about the Corona crisis in France in our news ticker.
Update April 10 7:35 p.m .: According to an extrapolation, Spain, Italy and Spain are likely to have the climax of the Corona crisis behind. Researchers from the Institute for Health and Evaluation , the University of Washington in Seattle, have now calculated for several states how things could go and have made death forecasts. In Germany and the UK, however, peak daily deaths are just around the corner.
Update of April 10, 3:30 pm: 50 crew members of the French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" have tested positive for the new corona virus. As a precaution, three of them were taken to a hospital in the southern French port city of Toulon, the Ministry of Defense in Paris said on Friday. Initially, however, "there was no deterioration in the health of the seafarers on board". How the virus got on the ship is still unclear.
The aircraft carrier has been suspected of corona since Wednesday after symptoms appeared in dozens of seafarers. The crew last consisted of almost 1800 men and women .
"The results of the 66 tests carried out showed that there were 50 cases of Covid-19 on board the 'Charles de Gaulle'," the Ministry of Defense said. From now on, all crew members are wearing protective masks.
The "Charles de Gaulle" was last out in the Atlantic. According to the Ministry of Defense, the return to the port of Toulon, originally planned for April 23, was brought forward. The flagship of the French Navy with a good 20 combat and reconnaissance aircraft on board had recently supported the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist militia.
Corona virus in Europe: 157,000 Spaniards infected - but there is good news
Update from April 10, 1:15 p.m .: Good news in connection with the Corona crisis in Europe comes from Spain on Friday. The lowest number of new deaths since March 24 was recorded there. 605 people died within 24 hours from the effects of Covid-19 . Almost 80 fewer people than the previous day.
The number of fatalities in Spain increases to 15,800. A total of approximately 157,000 people in Spain have been infected with Sars-CoV-2 . 3500 new genes were also recorded within 24 hours. In the province of La Rioja, for the first time since the crisis began, more discharged patients were registered as new infections.
Covid-19 increases death rate in seven European countries - peak not yet reached
Update, 9:34 pm: According to a project called "Euromomo", the death rate has risen in European countries. For a total of 24 countries in Europe, the project records weekly whether there are more deaths than would actually be expected.
In the overall statistics, as can be seen on the website, a clear rash can be seen - which is most likely due to the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus . Accordingly, after an average of normal 60,000 deaths in the reporting states in calendar week 14, almost 70,000 people have died on average.
"Estimates of the" Euromomo "network show a strong increase in all-cause mortality in the participating European countries in connection with the Covid 19 pandemic, " the researchers write, as the "Spiegel" reports.
The increase is attributable to the four European countries that are badly affected by the corona pandemic: Italy, France, Spain, England . In all four states, Covid-19 has killed more people than at any other time. But the death rate is also increased in Switzerland. Statistics also show that the death rate in Belgium and Portugal is at least slightly higher.
These statistics show that the pandemic leads to a significantly increasing death rate in affected countries and cannot be compared to a normal flu wave.
Meanwhile, the corona virus hits an extreme metropolis in Ecuador. Corpses lie there on the street for days.
Update, 6:30 p.m .: The Polish government extended the exit restrictions to curb the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday. According to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki , the borders will remain closed to foreigners until May 3. All shops - with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies - will be closed until April 19, school lessons, international flights and train travel will remain suspended until April 26.
"We have the ability to control the spread of the coronavirus," said Morawiecki. As of next Thursday, however, people would have to "cover their faces if they ventured out the door," announced Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski . He added that this "doesn't necessarily mean wearing a mask"
Corona virus in Europe: France doubles economic aid package
In the meantime, France doubled its economic aid package to 100 billion euros in the Corona crisis. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told the business newspaper "Les Echos" according to Thursday. So far, Paris has provided 45 billion euros. According to Le Maire, the financial injection for the healthcare system will be increased from two to seven billion euros, more than tripling.
Update, 5.11 p.m .: The curfew in France is expected to be extended beyond April 15. President Emanuel Macron wants to announce the details in a television speech on Easter Monday.
In Spain, where the government also wants to decide on an extension today, thousands of deaths could not have appeared in the official statistics: in the region around Madrid , many people died in old people's homes who had not previously been tested for infection. In total, at least 15,200 people died in Spain. After 757 new deaths were registered on Wednesday, there were only 683 today - the number fell for the second time in a row.
Corona virus in Europe: Spain probably on the way to easing
Update from April 9th, 2020, 11:09 am: "Even a small mistake can trigger a relapse," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the morning during a parliamentary debate to relax the measures. Although the pandemic in Spain is "under control thanks to the alarm status", the easing must take place gradually, Sanchez continues. After the debate, a vote will be taken to extend the measures to April 26.
Currently, with Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium and Turkey , seven European countries are still among the ten countries with the most known coronavirus infections worldwide. Spain is still the sad leader, with almost 150,000 infected and almost 15,000 deceased (Source: Johns Hopkins University).
Corona virus in Europe: peak not yet reached
Update 7.30 p.m .: The Corona pandemic has still not reached its peak in Europe, according to the EU health authority ECDC. "Despite early indications from Italy and Austria that the number of cases and deaths is decreasing, there are currently no signs at EU / EEA level that the epidemic has reached its peak," said the European Center for Prevention and Control of illnesses on Wednesday in his updated risk assessment.
Corona virus in Europe: EU health authority expects further spread
Major increases continue to be reported in various countries in the European Economic Area and in the UK. "In the current situation, a further spread of the virus can be expected, " said ECDC director Andrea Ammon . It was too early to suddenly remove all measures to avoid physical contact in the region - even if they were very disruptive to society on a social and economic level.
In line with this assessment, the EU Commission advocated an extension of the extensive freeze on entry into the European Union until May 15 . However, the decision about such entry restrictions can still be made by each country. The German Ministry of the Interior responded positively to the proposal . "Relaxation in the border regime is currently not justifiable," said a spokesman for the German Press Agency. "That is why we think the Commission's proposal is correct."
The EU Commission also made a recommendation for an exit strategy. From the Commission's perspective, the corona restrictions should only be relaxed in small, strictly controlled steps over a period of several months . This emerges from the draft of the so-called exit strategy, which the Commission plans to publish next week.
Corona virus in Europe: EU Commission warns of increasing number of cases of loosening
"Any gradual relaxation of the restrictions on going out will inevitably lead to an increase in new cases," the paper says. The Commission therefore believes that two conditions should be met: a noticeable slowdown in the spread of the virus and a sufficient number of hospital and intensive care beds .
Update 3:01 pm: Among the countries that are loosening up the strict measures against the spread of viruses worldwide are some European countries - the steps look different.
While in Denmark parents are thought of in the home office and crèches, kindergartens and schools up to fifth grade are to be reopened from April 15, the Austrians are allowed to go back to smaller shops and hardware stores from April 14. A schedule for the lifting of the measures in hotels and restaurants should be available from the end of May.
With disinfectants and a minimum distance , people in the Czech Republic will soon be allowed to go to hardware stores again - golf and tennis should also be allowed here again. Norway not only wants to make its kindergartens (from April 20) and schools (from April 27) available to its citizens again, but also to allow them to spend the night in their beloved huts.
Coronavirus in Europe: WHO Europe press conference
Update 11:53 : Finally, Kluge emphasizes: "It is not about flattening the curve of the infections, we have to interrupt them completely."
Update 11.48: " Lockdowns are not the solution, " said Aylward. You are currently learning a lot about the virus and its spread in order to be able to react faster and more adequately to individual infections and major outbreaks in the future.
Update 11.37 a.m .: Ayward takes three insights from his investigations:
1. The infections are to be taken seriously, the severe course should not be wished for by anyone
2. Even very good health systems can be overwhelmed within a very short time
3. We have to adapt to a new reality
The current measures are only there to prepare for what he calls the "new Covid reality", the current period after the lockdowns. One now had to learn how test capacities and hospital capacities could be ramped up and how one could pass the marathon well.
Update 11:29 : In Spain there are also regions where 80% of those infected are under 70 - this also affects the working population, many are affected for several weeks, reports Aylward of his visit to Spain.
The catastrophic situation in Spain was inspired by how quickly the hospitals switched their processes and how quickly the cities of Madrid and Barcelona - otherwise known for their liveliness - supported the health system by staying at home.
Corona virus in Europe: the speed of the virus is surprising
Update 11:26: Via video added Dr. Bruce Aylward, senior adviser to WHO directors, who has visited Madrid and hot spots in Italy in the past few weeks, as well as various test centers to get an overview. The unbelievable speed at which the virus spread was surprising - for example in Spain, where all regions were affected within two weeks.
Update 11:25: With a view to the upcoming Easter, he asks the people not to slacken their efforts - despite the nice weather.
Update 11:22: Kluge demands solidarity - especially with people in humanitarian crises, refugees, homeless people, people in prisons, children who are victims of abuse and people who have poor access to health systems. "We must not forget anyone" - not even the refugee camps in Greece, where cases have already been shown.
Coronavirus in Europe: Smart - we have to triple efforts
Update 11:16 p.m .: Dr. Hans Kluge continues: "Now is not the time to relax measures - we have to double and triple our efforts." Three points are in focus:
"There is no need to breathe a sigh of relief, any loosening can only happen with knowledge of the virus and the state of the health system."
The WHO will provide advice and support to governments and, for example, make results from individual countries available to others as well as employees. This has already happened in Belarus, for example.
Update of April 8, 11:11 am: In many of the countries affected in Europe, the death rate exceeded expectations, said Kluge. It can be observed that the number of new infections is declining in some countries, such as Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. The numbers would increase in Turkey, Israel, Ukraine, Norway and Sweden.
Although there were also deaths among children, 95% of the deceased were over 60.
Update from April 8, 11:07 a.m .: Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director, said that in the 15th week of the epidemic in Europe, Europe was still the center of the pandemic. There are reasons to be optimistic, but there is also cause for further concern.
Corona virus in Europe: Finland is said to have protective stocks
Update of April 7, 2:45 p.m .: While the lack of protective articles continues to burden many countries in the fight against the coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 and poses a major challenge, a country does not have to worry too much about the topic.
According to a report by the “New York Times”, Finland has hoarded protective articles for years and is said to be in possession of a gigantic store. These should not only include masks, gloves and protective suits, but also grain, fuel and other raw materials. All of this is said to be in the camps of the National Emergency Care Authority (NESA) .
Corona in Finland: “Storage centers are confidential”
To be prepared for an emergency is in the DNA of the Finns, according to the head of NESA, Tomi Lounema, opposite the "New York Times". However, it is not known exactly how many masks and other medical materials the country has. "All information about our supply centers is kept confidential," says Lounema.
According to current case numbers, almost 2,300 people in Finland are currently infected with the corona virus. So far, 27 people have died of Covid-19 (source: John Hopkins University, April 7, 3:05 p.m.) .
Our first announcement of April 7, 2020: Corona: Does Sweden's special path lead to "catastrophe"? Nurse with an alarming report
Stockholm - The Corona Crisis * in Europe limits the lives of many people. Italy and Spain have had the most devastating effects of the Sars-CoV-2 * coronavirus. Thousands of people are infected, thousands of people have died from Covid-19 . While life in large parts of Europe largely stands still due to exit restrictions, one country has followed a different line - and the criticism for it is getting louder and louder.
Corona in Europe: Special route in Sweden - schools still open
So far, Sweden has pursued a different strategy in the corona pandemic than most other European countries. There are no exit restrictions *. Schools, restaurants and sports facilities are still open.
The Swedish government only called on people to keep their distance from their fellow human beings and, if possible, to work from home. In doing so, she followed the recommendations of the highest health authority and state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell . Just recently, Tegnell had said, "I would go skiing."
There is also a ban on meetings for more than 50 people and a ban on visiting nursing homes. The goal was to limit the spread of the virus as much as possible.
Corona in Europe: Special route in Sweden - no exit restrictions
However, the handling of the corona situation is not considered positive by everyone in Sweden. Sten Linnarsson, professor of molecular systems biology at the Karolinska Institute, pointed to a high risk "that we will soon regret the previous strategy."
Söderberg-Nauclér, a colleague of Linnsarssons, said: "We are not pursuing, we are not isolating enough - we have let go of the virus." She warns of a "catastrophe". Both are among the signatories of an open letter that calls for nationwide tests in the population, as reported by "ntv".
According to official information, Sweden has a comparatively low number of cases *. So 7,206 people are infected with the coronavirus, 477 died of Covid-19 .
Corona in Sweden: Sobering report from a nurse goes viral
But the criticism is getting louder. The report of a nurse from the Uppsala University Clinic on Facebook attracted attention and was very well received in Sweden . The post has been shared more than 40,000 times.
"The last few days have been overwhelming, now the patients with Covid-19 are really coming to us and they are sick, very seriously ill," she wrote and continued: "Half of the people we currently care for are under the age of 50. And not everyone has previous illnesses. ”In addition, she publishes a selfie that cannot hide the traces of several overtime hours.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network