Global death toll crosses 14,000
Spain records 400 new fatalities; France and UK also report spike in deaths
ROME: The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic engulfing Europe catapulted in several hot spots across the continent despite ramped up restrictions to contain the ballooning outbreak, as Asia braced for a possible second wave of infections on its shores.
The virus has so far killed more than 14,000 people and infected over 330,000 around the world, with the epicentre now in Europe after shifting from China where the virus first emerged late last year. Italy marked a grim milestone Saturday, surpassing China’s death toll - now the worst anywhere in the world.
Spain, France and the UK all reported spikes in fatalities and caseloads over the weekend too, with fears mounting that numbers could mushroom in line with Italy’s in the coming weeks.
Spain has imposed similar restrictive measures, locking millions in their homes and shutting business and schools across the country, which has failed to slow the tidal wave.
It recorded close to 400 new fatalities on Sunday, bringing the total to 1,720, prompting a dire warning from the Prime Minister. “We must prepare ourselves emotionally and psychologically for very hard days ahead,” Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday.
Residents across France where the death toll jumped to 562 - remained shut in their homes, as a curfew was imposed in some regions and the mayor of Paris called for even more drastic confinement measures in a city under lockdown.
Greece announced a curfew on Sunday, restricting movement from Monday with only a few exceptions. Greece confirmed 94 new cases on Sunday, its largest single-day jump, taking its total to 624, with 15 deaths, up two.
While the number of cases in China - which reported its first local infection in four days on Sunday - has slumped dramatically since the crisis began, there are fears in Asia of “imported” cases from other hot spots like Europe.
Thailand reported its highest daily rise in cases, taking its total to nearly 600, while Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have also reported a spike after numbers had plateaued earlier.
The coronavirus has infected more than 1,200 across Africa, where health care systems are limited and social distancing measures are difficult in crowded cities.
The Middle East also remains on high alert, where Iran - which suffered a major outbreak reported 129 deaths on Sunday.