France, Spain struggle as daily cases in Europe double in 10 days
Nations weigh tough measures as daily cases more than double in 10 days
The coronavirus is spreading even faster than it did during the first phase of the pandemic, a French government adviser said yesterday as authorities across Europe scrambled to try to contain the disease once again racing through the continent.
France
Covid patients occupy nearly half of all of France’s 5,000 intensive care beds and its well- regarded health system has been showing increasing signs of strain.
“The virus is circulating more quickly than in the spring,” epidemiologist Arnaud Fontanet, who sits on the Scientific Council advising the French government, said.
The disease is in resurgence all over Europe, where daily reported cases have more than doubled in10 days, crossing 200,000 daily infections for the first time on Thursday.
Around the continent, further restrictions are being planned by governments desperate to avoid a repeat of the blanket lockdowns that brought a measure of control in March and April at the cost of shutting down their whole economies.
Belgium
Belgium, one of the worsthit countries, whose foreign minister Sophie Wilmes went into intensive care this week, tightened restrictions on social contacts on Friday and banned fans from sports matches.
Poland
Poland said it would close restaurants and bars for two weeks and limit public gatherings to five people.
Spain
In Spain, which passed the grim one million case milestone last week, two regions, Castilla and Leon and Valencia, urged the central government to impose night- time curfews.
Official data show Spain already has the highest number of cases in Europe but the real picture may be even worse, according to prime pinister Pedro Sanchez.