This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51876784
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: Europe now epicentre of the pandemic, says WHO | 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. | 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. | 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. | "Do not just let this fire burn," he said. |
| His comments came as several European countries reported steep rises in infections and deaths. Italy has recorded its highest daily toll yet. | His comments came as several European countries reported steep rises in infections and deaths. Italy has recorded its highest daily toll yet. |
| There were 250 deaths recorded over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 1,266, with 17,660 infections overall. | There were 250 deaths recorded over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 1,266, with 17,660 infections overall. |
| Spain, the worst-affected European country after Italy, reported a 50% jump in fatalities to 120 on Friday. Infections increased to 4,200. | Spain, the worst-affected European country after Italy, reported a 50% jump in fatalities to 120 on Friday. Infections increased to 4,200. |
| Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says a state of alert will come into effect there on Saturday for two weeks. | Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says a state of alert 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. | 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'? | 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. | 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". | 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. | "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." | "More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic." |
| As well as the increases in Spain and Italy, France now has 2,876 cases, Germany 3,062 and there are now 798 confirmed infections in the UK. | |
| What are European countries doing about it? | What are European countries doing about it? |
| Announcing the state of alert in Spain, Mr Sanchez said the government would "mobilise all the resources of state to better protect the health of all of its citizens". | Announcing the state of alert in Spain, Mr Sanchez said the government would "mobilise all the resources of state to better protect the health of all of its citizens". |
| It will be able to limit movement, order evacuations, prohibit access to certain places and intervene in industry for up to 15 days. | It will be able to limit movement, order evacuations, prohibit access to certain places and intervene in industry for up to 15 days. |
| "Victory depends on every single one of us," Mr Sanchez said. "Heroism is also about washing your hands and staying at home." | "Victory depends on every single one of us," Mr Sanchez said. "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. |
| Italy has imposed a nationwide lockdown. | Italy has imposed a nationwide lockdown. |
| Meanwhile, at least nine other countries in Europe are enforcing border closures, including: | |
| Belgium, France, Switzerland and parts of Germany are among the latest countries to close schools. | Belgium, France, Switzerland and parts of Germany are among the latest countries to close schools. |
| There are also widespread curbs on large gatherings and measures to close theatres, restaurants and bars. | There are also widespread curbs on large gatherings and measures to close theatres, restaurants and bars. |
| Germany's Bundesliga, the only one of the big five European football leagues still being played, is to suspend games in the top two divisions from Tuesday. | Germany's Bundesliga, the only one of the big five European football leagues still being played, is to suspend games in the top two divisions from Tuesday. |
| Paris's Louvre - the largest art museum in the world - announced it would close from Friday, as will the Eiffel Tower. | Paris's Louvre - the largest art museum in the world - announced it would close from Friday, as will the Eiffel Tower. |
| What are the developments elsewhere? | What are the developments elsewhere? |
| Pakistan is shutting all of its land borders and limiting international flights for 15 days, its foreign minister says. | Pakistan is shutting all of its land borders and limiting international flights for 15 days, its foreign minister says. |
| In Canada, MPs have voted to suspend parliament and health officials have advised against non-essential foreign travel. | In Canada, MPs have voted to suspend parliament and health officials have advised against non-essential foreign travel. |
| Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began a 14-day self-isolation period on Friday after his wife tested positive. | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began a 14-day self-isolation period on Friday after his wife tested positive. |
| US President Donald Trump's travel ban on 26 European countries, which was met with anger and confusion. this week, will go into effect on Friday at midnight EDT (0400 GMT). | US President Donald Trump's travel ban on 26 European countries, which was met with anger and confusion. this week, will go into effect on Friday at midnight EDT (0400 GMT). |
| On Friday, Louisiana became the first US state to postpone its Democratic presidential primary, from 4 April to 20 June. | On Friday, Louisiana became the first US state to postpone its Democratic presidential primary, from 4 April to 20 June. |
| Also on Friday, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was admitted to hospital after testing positive. He recently travelled to Washington and met President Trump's daughter, Ivanka | Also on Friday, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was admitted to hospital after testing positive. He recently travelled to Washington and met President Trump's daughter, Ivanka |
| Meanwhile, Iran announced another 85 deaths, the country's highest toll in a 24-hour period, bringing the number of dead there to 514. The true figure is feared to be much higher. | Meanwhile, Iran announced another 85 deaths, the country's highest toll in a 24-hour period, bringing the number of dead there to 514. The true figure is feared to be much higher. |