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(CNN) -
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that coronavirus cases are increasing alarmingly in Europe, as a "very serious situation" develops across the continent.
As COVID-19 infections rise to record highs, European governments are imposing strict local measures and weighing new blockades in a bid to halt a second wave of the pandemic.
But WHO regional director Hans Kluge said at a press conference Thursday that the rise in coronavirus cases in Europe should serve as a warning of what is to come.
"Weekly cases have now exceeded those reported when the pandemic peaked in Europe in March," Kluge said.
"Last week, the region's weekly count exceeded 300,000 patients."
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A wake up call
More than half of European nations have reported an increase of more than 10% in new cases in the past two weeks, Kluge added.
"Of these, seven countries have seen recently reported cases more than double in the same period," he said.
“In the spring and early summer we could see the impact of the strict closure measures.
Our efforts, our sacrifices, paid off.
In June, the cases hit a record low.
However, the September case numbers should serve as a wake-up call for all of us, ”he said.
"Although these numbers reflect more comprehensive evidence, they also show alarming transmission rates across the region."
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Youth, the group in which cases have increased
While there was an increase in cases in the oldest age groups, those ages 50 to 79, in the first week of September, Kluge said, the highest proportion of new cases is still found among people ages 25 to 49.
Countries across the continent have been easing lockdowns and reopening their economies.
Now governments are now struggling to prevent further outbreaks.
"This pandemic has taken a lot from us," Kluge said, citing the nearly 4.9 million COVID-19 cases recorded in Europe and more than 226,000 deaths.
"And this tells only part of the story," he said.
"The impact on our mental health, economies, livelihoods and society has been monumental," he added.
Credit: GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images
New restrictions due to coronavirus cases
In France, hospitalizations for covid-19 have increased in recent days in large cities such as Paris, Bordeaux and Marseille.
Earlier this year, the first wave of coronavirus skyrocketed rapidly in France, but was interrupted by a strict national lockdown.
In total, more than 31,000 people died there from the disease, out of more than 443,000 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
Now, the number of new infections is increasing rapidly.
A record was set over the weekend with more than 10,000 new cases in a single day.
The number of clusters has risen steadily and, more worryingly, nationwide, the number of people in intensive care has risen 25% over the last week.
Cases have also increased in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Italy
This week new restrictions were imposed across England that prohibit people from gathering socially in groups of more than six, of all ages, indoors or outdoors.
Scotland and Wales have also toughened up their social distancing rules.
Starting Friday, even stricter measures will be enforced in northeast England amid a 'worrying spike' in COVID-19 infection rates there, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced Thursday in the Parlament.
The measures include a ban on socializing outside of homes or "support bubbles" and a mandatory lockdown schedule of 10 pm for all bars, pubs, restaurants and entertainment centers.
They will apply to seven areas, including the cities of Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham, and will affect more than 1.5 million people.
Hancock emphasized the need for "immediate action" against the virus as winter approaches.
The coronavirus situation in the UK
At least 41,773 people have died from coronavirus in the UK, according to JHU, the highest number in Europe and the fifth most of any country in the world.
The UK government has been under pressure from recent failures in its coronavirus testing system, with some people, including healthcare workers, experiencing difficulties accessing tests or being directed to testing sites far from home.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended Britain's record for coronavirus testing on Wednesday, saying it compares favorably with other European countries and that recent problems stem from a "colossal surge" in demand.
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