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Coronavirus: Europe now epicentre of the pandemic, says WHO | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Europe is now the "epicentre" of the global coronavirus pandemic, the head of the World Health Organization says. | |
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives. | |
"Do not just let this fire burn," he said. | |
His comments came as several countries in Europe reported steep rises in the number of infections and deaths. Spain is now the worst affected after Italy. | |
On Friday, Spain reported a 50% jump in fatalities to 120. Infections increased to 4,200. | |
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says a state of emergency will come into effect there on Saturday for two weeks. | |
Controls are also being introduced at an increasing number of borders in Europe, in response to rapid spread of the virus. | |
Why is Europe the 'epicentre'? | |
More than 132,500 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 123 countries around the world, according to the WHO. | |
The total number of deaths has reached about 5,000 - a figure Dr Tedros described as "a tragic milestone". | |
"Europe has now become the epicentre of the pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China," he said. | |
"More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic." | |
Europe's worst-affected country, Italy, has now reported more than 15,100 cases and 1,000 deaths. France has 2,860 cases, Germany 2,369 and there are now 798 confirmed infections in the UK. | |
In other developments: | |
What is happening in Spain? | |
Announcing the state of emergency, Mr Sanchez said the government would "mobilise all the resources of state to better protect the health of all of its citizens". | |
Mr Sanchez said the total number of cases could top 10,000 next week. | |
"Several very tough weeks... are ahead of us," he said, adding that Spain was "only in the first phase of the fight against the virus". | |
"Victory depends on every single one of us. Heroism is also about washing your hands and staying at home." | "Victory depends on every single one of us. Heroism is also about washing your hands and staying at home." |
All but "essential travel" to parts of Spain should be avoided, says the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. | All but "essential travel" to parts of Spain should be avoided, says the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. |
Which countries are closing borders? | Which countries are closing borders? |
The Czech Republic, Ukraine and Slovakia are closing their borders to foreigners without residence permits. | The Czech Republic, Ukraine and Slovakia are closing their borders to foreigners without residence permits. |
Other EU member states including Austria and Hungary have also suspended the rules of the passport-free Schengen travel zone and reimposed border checks. | Other EU member states including Austria and Hungary have also suspended the rules of the passport-free Schengen travel zone and reimposed border checks. |
Malta has announced mandatory quarantines for new arrivals. | Malta has announced mandatory quarantines for new arrivals. |
Outside of Europe, Pakistan is shutting all of its land borders and limiting international flights for 15 days, its foreign minister says. | |