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Coronavirus: Spain to declare emergency as deaths pass 100 Coronavirus: Europe now epicentre of the pandemic, says WHO
(32 minutes later)
Spain's prime minister says a state of emergency will come into effect there on Saturday amid a steep rise in coronavirus deaths. Europe is now the "epicentre" of the global coronavirus pandemic, the head of the World Health Organization says.
Pedro Sánchez warned that very hard weeks lay ahead but he vowed the government would do everything necessary to combat the crisis. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives.
Earlier, the number of deaths in Spain increased by some 50% in a day to reach 120. Infections jumped to 4,200. "Do not just let this fire burn," he said.
Mr Sanchez said the figure could top 10,000 next week. 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.
The state of emergency in Spain allows his government to take wide-ranging measures for up to 15 days, including: On Friday, Spain reported a 50% jump in fatalities to 120. Infections increased to 4,200.
Controls are being introduced at an increasing number of borders in Europe, in response to the coronavirus. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says a state of emergency will come into effect there on Saturday for two weeks.
Addressing the global crisis on Friday, WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Europe was now the "epicentre of the pandemic". Controls are also being introduced at an increasing number of borders in Europe, in response to rapid spread of the virus.
More than 125,000 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 118 countries around the world, according to the World Health Organization. The total number of deaths is more than 4,600. Why is Europe the 'epicentre'?
What is the latest in Spain? More than 132,500 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 123 countries around the world, according to the WHO.
Spain is the worst affected European country after Italy, which has more than 15,000 cases. The total number of deaths has reached about 5,000 - a figure Dr Tedros described as "a tragic milestone".
On Friday, Prime Minister Sanchez said the Spanish government would "mobilise all the resources of state to better protect the health of all of its citizens". "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.
"Several very tough weeks... are ahead of us," he added, saying Spain was "only in the first phase of the fight against the virus". "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."
Schools are already closed in a number of regions of Spain, with an estimated 10 million pupils expected to be missing classes by Monday.
The city authorities in Madrid are closing areas of outdoor seating for cafes. The Madrid region is by far the worst-affected area in the country with 1,990 cases and some 40 deaths.
In the northeast of the country, some 70,000 residents of four Catalan towns placed under quarantine on Thursday are being allowed to leave their homes, but not the restricted zones.
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.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is shutting all of its land borders and limiting international flights for 15 days, its foreign minister says. Outside of Europe, Pakistan is shutting all of its land borders and limiting international flights for 15 days, its foreign minister says.
In other developments: