Cases of virus soar across Europe

THE number of people in France diagnosed with Covid-19 jumped by 336 to 949 yesterday — the biggest daily increase France has seen. Another seven people died, taking the total to 16. Most have been over 70 years old.

Italy also saw its biggest daily increase. The number of cases rose by 1,247 in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 5,883. Another 36 people also died as a result of the virus, taking the total to 233. The entire province of Lombardy has been put into quarantine and Nicola Zingaretti, leader of Italy’s Democratic Party, one of Italy’s ruling coalition parties, yesterday tested positive for the virus.

The Pope will give his next two public blessings via video to prevent crowds gathering as a precaution against the spread of the virus.

At 83, recovering from a cold and with part of one lung removed due to an infection when he was young, Francis would be at risk if he were to catch the virus.

The virus has so far caused eight deaths in Spain and infected over 400. Thirty people have recovered from the virus. Home quarantines have been placed on parts of the Basque Country, with fines for breaching quarantine ranging from €3k to €600k.

The number of cases in Germany jumped by more than 100 yesterday, reaching 795 by mid-day. The total is more than 10 times larger than it was a week ago.

The UK confirmed

209 cases — 184 in England, 16 in Scotland, seven in Northern Ireland, two in Wales.

The total number of infections climbed past 7,400 in Europe yesterday — more than doubling in just a few days.