Corona in Europe: Poland with the highest value for new infections - Paris introduces mask requirement also outdoors

The EU is worried about the pandemic. Poland reports a high level of new infections. Paris is taking action and requiring masks to be worn outdoors in some places.

• The Corona crisis * has Europe firmly under control.
• Poland has a record number of new infections . (Update from August 7, 5:17 p.m.)
• Paris introduces mandatory outdoor masks . (Update from August 8, 8:56 p.m.)
• Here you will find the basic facts about the coronavirus * and the corona news from Germany. You can also find the current number of cases in Germany as a map here. 

Update from August 8, 8:56 p.m.: In order to curb the further spread of the corona virus , the French capital Paris has decided to make it mandatory to wear masks outdoors. Areas such as the banks of the Seine or shopping streets, which are particularly busy, are affected, as the police announced. The regulation comes into effect on Monday, 8 a.m.

# COVID19 😷 | Le port du masque sera obligatoire à #Paris dans les zones à forte fréquentation de personnes à compter du lundi 10 août à 8h.https: //t.co/HOfho8JcQn
Pour plus de details consultez notre communiqué de presse 👇 pic.twitter.com / cPigy6eWge

Experts have been warning of a second corona wave in France since last month . With around 30,000 deaths, the European country is badly affected by the epidemic. France reported 3,897 new cases on Aug. 7, according to Johns Hopkins University . That is the highest value since April.

Coronavirus in France: Paris introduces mandatory outdoor masking

In other cities in the country, such as Nice or Lille , the mask requirement is already in place outdoors. In France , masks are generally only compulsory in closed, publicly accessible spaces. As in Germany, for example, this applies to shops, restaurants and authorities . Passengers on public transport must also cover their mouth and nose.

Update from August 8, 7:52 p.m.: The British corona management seems anything but to go smoothly. Around 740,000 tests had to be recalled.

Update from August 8, 6.44 p.m.: While some time ago there was still a strong celebration on the golden sands in Bulgaria , the corona numbers in a region near the party zone became so negative that the Robert Koch Institute took over the administrative district Varna to the risk areadeclared. Other districts are also affected, the same applies to the Bulgarian neighboring country Romania .

Update of August 7, 5:17 p.m .: Poland has registered more new corona cases than ever since the pandemic started. On Friday, the authorities recorded 809 new infections within 24 hours, the Ministry of Health in Warsaw said. The previous record was recorded on Thursday, it was 726 new infections.

#coronavirus update in #Poland. New cases confirmed 809, new recovered 399, new deaths 13. Total cases in Poland confirmed 50324, recovered 36041, deaths 1787. + 1.63% daily cases increase, 809 reported today UTC time.

According to official information, more than 50,000 people have been infected with Sars-CoV-2 in Poland so far . 1787 people died from the virus. Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski announced increased controls in vacation spots to better enforce protective measures. Even vacationers are not exempt from the requirement to wear a mask in shops and have to observe the distance rules in restaurants and pubs.

Corona in Denmark: restriction on assembly will not be relaxed

The Danish government looks because of the renewed rise coronavirus infection levels in force in the country of the planned easing assembly constraints from. The maximum number of participants allowed for certain events will not be increased from 100 to 200 on Saturday, contrary to what had been planned, as the Danish Ministry of Health announced on Thursday.

"The epidemic is increasing worldwide and in several places in Europe, and recently we have seen an increase in the number of Danes infected with the coronavirus," said Health Minister Magnus Heunicke . It is crucial that Denmark maintain its good position in which the epidemic is under control. Therefore, it is not correct from the government's point of view to increase the meeting limit from 100 to 200 participants at this time .

Coronavirus in the UK: Government buys 50 million unsuitable protective masks

Update from August 7th, 1:37 p.m .: The Ministry of Health in London has bought 50 million protective masks that are not suitable for use in hospitals. This emerges from court documents that are available to the German Press Agency (dpa) . The non-governmental organization ( NGO ) "Good Law Project" accuses the government in the process for the purchase of protective equipment in the pandemic against competition rules to have violated.

In a letter, government lawyers admitted that 50 million protective masks are not suitable for use in the NHS because they are attached to the ears with rubber bands instead of behind the head . This does not guarantee that the masks fit snugly enough, the reasoned.

50 million face masks bought by the UK government will not be used in the NHS due to safety concerns https://t.co/5WqjbstApe

The Good Law Project estimates that the masks cost between £ 156m and £ 177m (equivalent to around £ 173m to £ 196m). It was initially unclear what should happen to the masks. In addition, the purchase was threaded by a government advisor who, according to the BBC, also worked for the contracted company.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the British news agency PA said  that he was "very disappointed" that deliveries of protective materials had proven unsuitable. However, he pointed out that Britain had procured billions of protective materials and is now increasingly producing them in its own country.

"Very disappointed" over 50 million unsuitable corona protective masks: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (archive picture)

© Rui Vieira / AFP

Corona virus in Europe: outbreak under control in popular tourist destination? Government with “comeback plan”

Update from August 6, 9:26 p.m .: The infection rate in Europe is still very different - while the long-term problem child Italy currently only has around three new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, the number of infections is increasing in Romania, the Republic of Moldova or in the equally badly affected Spain.

Denmark has - also in view of increasing numbers - withdrawn the decision to relax the assembly restrictions from 100 to 200 participants, exceptions apply to football stadiums, where a few thousand fans have recently been allowed. Norway, which only lifted the strict travel restrictions on July 15, is now reintroducing them for France, Switzerland, Monaco, the Czech Republic and two regions in Sweden - travelers from these countries have to be quarantined for two weeks after their return . And in the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte already warns of a second lockdown - the danger is real if the citizens don't consistently abide by the rules.

Corona in Europe: Outbreak in Austrian tourist town "under control"

Update from August 5, 9:40 p.m.: The corona crisis is affecting Ryanair heavily, now the airline is threatened with a disaster due to alleged disregard of Covid-19 protective measures . Many flights from Germany to a holiday destination are at risk.

Update from August 5, 7:29 a.m .: According to the authorities, the corona outbreak in the Austrian tourist resort of St. Wolfgang is under control. The number of known cases has increased by only one to 79 since the beginning of the week , as the crisis team of the state of Upper Austria announced . The number of affected businesses in the community remained unchanged at 18 .

St. Wolfgang in Austria is still feeling the decline in tourists after a coronavirus outbreak.

© Barbara Gindl / apa / dpa

Most of those infected work in the hotel and catering industry . The results of new tests from around 400 employees should be available on Thursday. The starting point for the numerous infections since the end of July are celebrations of young seasonal employees in two restaurants that then closed voluntarily.

There has been a noticeable drop in the number of day visitors and overnight stays, said the managing director of the local tourism company , Hans Wieser. “The fact is that the situation has already hit us hard.” On this Wednesday he wants to present a “comeback plan for tourism” with the state government and city administration .

Coronavirus in Europe: sensational study for a country - six times more infections than assumed?

Update from August 4, 8.12 a.m .: According to a study , the corona virus could be six times more widespread than known in Italy . The Ministry of Health and the Istat statistical office published an evaluation on Monday, according to which almost 1.5 million people in the country have developed antibodies against the virus, as reported by the Ansa news agency. That corresponds to around 2.5 percent of the population . Around 60 million people live in Italy.

The result of the study is based on tests on 64,660 representatively selected people from May 15 to July 15 - the results were received by July 27. According to data from the US University of Johns Hopkins , a good 248,000 people in Italy have been infected with the virus and more than 35,000 people have died.

According to the study, however, there are large regional differences , as Ansa further reported. In Lombardy the human antibody was detected at 7.5 percent, in southern Italy at less than one percent.

Coronavirus in Europe: UK introduces rapid tests - results in "less than 90 minutes"

Update from August 3, 7.59 a.m.: Great Britain wants to introduce two new types of rapid tests to contain the corona virus . Health Secretary Matt Hancock said, according to a statement from his ministry early Monday morning: "Millions of new rapid coronavirus tests will provide results on site in less than 90 minutes and help us break transmission chains quickly." From next week, hospitals, nursing homes and laboratories would be around 5.8 million DNA and 450,000 swab tests made available, it said.

Both tests could detect Covid-19 and other viruses such as flu viruses that are angry especially in winter, it said. This increases the test capacity enormously. No trained medical staff is required to carry out the tests , which means that they can also be carried out in more non-clinical settings.

"The fact that these tests can detect both flu and Covid-19 will help us tremendously on our way into winter so that patients can take the right advice to protect themselves and others," said Hancock . The UK is worst hit by the pandemic in Europe .

Coronavirus in Europe: England stops planned easing measures - entire region in Europe lives without a mask requirement

Update from August 2nd, 2:42 p.m .: While the mask requirement is being expanded again in many countries, including France and the Netherlands, an entire large region in Europe is still largely relying on a life without masks: in many Scandinavian countries, everyday masks are still the Exception.

As a survey by the polling institute YouGov found, only about five to ten percent protect themselves with masks . In the cityscape of Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki and Reykjavik , it is mostly the tourists who attract attention through face masks.

Norway, Finland or Denmark currently do not consider the masks necessary due to the low number of infections - Denmark only recommends wearing mouth and nose protection on the way to the coronavirus test in hospital or when returning from a risk area. Especially in Sweden, which still has the highest death rate in Scandinavia, according to the AFP, many people now want the mask requirement to be extended .

The WHO, meanwhile, expects the pandemic to continue "for a very long time".

Coronavirus in Europe: Great Britain's Prime Minister Johnson stops further easing measures

Update from July 31, 5:06 p.m .: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stopped further easing measures in the Corona crisis for all of England . According to him, the number of infections is rising again. "We have to react quickly," said Johnson on Friday at a press conference in London .

PM @BorisJohnson has announced today that some of the proposed changes to the rules in August will be postponed for at least a fortnight.

This is to keep the virus under control. Read his full statement here: https://t.co/6JMjgCppF8 pic.twitter.com/TU2YrWtlTg

On August 1st, small wedding receptions should actually be possible again in England and, for example, casinos should be allowed to reopen. This should now be delayed by at least two weeks . In addition, the head of government announced further protective measures and expanded the mask requirement .

Corona in Europe: France is increasingly relying on mask requirements in the fresh air

Due to the increasing number of infections , the French government has given the local authorities more leeway in the mask requirement . In order to limit the spread of Covid-19 , the prefectures could now extend the mask requirement to public places, Health Minister Olivier Véran said on Friday. This decision can be made on site depending on the health situation.

The prefecture of Lille reacted immediately and announced that the city would have to wear a mask, for example in the pedestrian zone. The mask is also mandatory in parking lots at shopping centers or in parks. In France, masks are actually only compulsory in closed rooms with public traffic. These are, for example, shops, restaurants and authorities. Even in public transport, people have to wear a corona protective mask .

Some cities - for example in Brittany - had already introduced a mask requirement in the fresh air. Other places such as the port city of Quiberon have restricted access to the beach. This is no longer accessible in the evening and at night. Authorities had recently identified a large number of cases on the peninsula in Brittany. Those responsible in other seaside resorts such as Sables-d'Olonne or Biarritz on the Atlantic coast had complained that young people would meet in large groups on the beaches in the evening.

Corona in Austria: Carinthian authorities contact 750 people after infection of a vacationer

In Austria , the Carinthian authorities had for a Corona infection inform 750 people, reported the news portal oe24.at . A woman from Vorarlberg tested positive for Covid-19 after her vacation in Velden am Wörthersee . Last Saturday, July 25th, she was a guest at Casino Velden .

Was there actually a mask requirement at Casino Velden? If not, we can address very rapidly increasing cases. And PS Wherever there is a party, infection rates will go up steeply. One should test more there as soon as possible

The authorities informed all guests who were there on the same day. A test has already been carried out on the people with whom the holidaymaker had close contact and they are in quarantine. As the state press service emphasized, it was a pure precautionary measure.

Coronavirus in Europe: England warns of second wave and introduces stricter contact restrictions

Update from July 31, 1:10 p.m .: Due to the increased spread of the corona virus in the north of England , the British government is again introducing stricter contact restrictions in some regions . The Greater Manchester area and parts of West Yorkshire and East Lancashire are affected, Health Minister Matt Hancock wrote on Twitter late Thursday evening. From midnight onwards, members of different households will no longer be allowed to meet indoors, as the minister announced. “Immediate action” is necessary for people's safety.

4/4 We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is neccessary to keep people safe.

Hancock attributed the increased spread of the virus to negligence in observing the rules of distance . The government acted "with a heavy heart," the minister continued. "But we can see an increase in Covid cases across Europe and we are determined to do whatever is necessary to protect people."

Coronavirus in Europe: Danish health authority advises mouthguards on public transport

With the exception of a few airports, such as the one in Copenhagen , there is no mask requirement in most of Scandinavia. In Denmark , the health authority is now advising to wear a face mask on public transport. After the end of the holiday next week, it could be more difficult to keep the necessary distance there, the health administration said on Friday.

“That is why we now recommend that you have a mouthguard in your pocket in these situations and that you put it on when it is difficult to keep your distance,” said Søren Brostrøm . At the same time, the authority pointed out that the corona numbers in Denmark were still at a low level. There are currently no clear signs of a significant increase.

Corona in Europe: Already more than 13,500 tests at Luxembourg Airport

At the airport Luxembourg already have around 13,500 passengers to the coronavirus can be tested. A total of 92 people were discovered with an infection , said a spokeswoman for the Luxembourg Ministry of Health on Friday. The tests at Luxembourg Airport, which have been offered since the end of May, are voluntary and free. The test center is mainly used by those returning to travel . "We notice that their willingness to be tested increases during the holidays," said a spokeswoman for the dpa.

So far, there have been a total of almost 567,000 tests and around 6600 confirmed cases in the country. In the past week (July 20 to 26), 695 new infections had occurred - 113 of which were from cross-border commuters. In mid-July , Luxembourg was declared a corona risk area by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) .

The German Robert Koch Institute (RKI) declared Luxembourg a risk area on Tuesday due to the renewed spread of the corona virus https://t.co/QCxbtl8d6F

The small country defends itself against the classification: The high numbers were due, among other things, to the fact that Luxembourg is testing nationwide and more than other countries, it said. In addition, cross-border commuters from neighboring countries Germany, France and Belgium are also test subjects. Since Friday, a quarantine of 14 days for entering Luxembourgers has been in effect in Great Britain . A negative test for Covid-19 is not enough, the government said.

Coronavirus in Europe: England extends self-isolation and warns of Europe-wide second wave

First report from July 30th : London - The corona pandemic * still has Europe firmly under control despite mostly decreasing numbers of new infections. Great Britain fears a second Europe-wide wave of infections. It was "clearly emerging in Europe" and should not reach Great Britain, said British Health Minister Matt Hancock . Even Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who was once even diagnosed with the virus, had raised concerns.

Corona crisis in Europe: Great Britain fears second wave

England has tightened a pandemic measure in view of a second impending coronavirus wave . Anyone who has tested positive for the pathogen or has typical symptoms such as high fever or loss of smell and taste must in future be in self-isolation for at least ten days. So far, at least seven days were planned. It cannot be ruled out that infected people could spread the pathogen even after a week, the British Minister of Health Matt Hancock justified the move on Thursday in London. Each part of the United Kingdom - England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland - is deciding on its own action to tackle the pandemic .

The broadcaster BBC criticized the measure as overdue: Many states had long since ordered the ten-day quarantine. "The decision could actually have been made weeks, if not months," it said in a comment.

Corona in Europe: Great Britain hardest hit

Great Britain was hardest hit by the Corona crisis in Europe . With a total of 303,910 cases tested positive, the country is ninth in the world rankings for corona infections. The United States currently tops the list with over 4.4 million cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Britain had been sharply criticized for misjudging the situation and reacting too late. According to epidemiologist and ex-government advisor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College, at least half of the nearly 46,000 deaths in Britain could have been prevented had exit restrictions been enforced a week earlier in March. The mass transfer of untested patients from clinics to nursing homes is also a mistake with fatal consequences. Experts assume a high number of unreported cases of death.

The Netherlands is taking measures due to the increasing number of corona infections

New measures have also been taken in the Netherlands to further curb the spread of the coronavirus . Amsterdam and Rotterdam were the first Dutch cities to introduce a mask requirement . This applies to particularly busy places, streets and shops, announced the major cities on Thursday (July 30th). The mask requirement should apply from August 5 for all persons over 13 years. (lb with dpa) * Merkur.de is part of the Ippen digital network

List of rubric lists: © Rui Vieira / AFP