WHO warns Europe over spread of coronavirus

New weekly c or on avirus cases in Europe have exceeded the numbers reported when the pandemic first peaked in March, the World Health Organization has said.

WHO regional director Hans Kluge said 300,000 new infections were reported last week alone.

“We have a very serious situation unfolding before us,” he said.

Testing capacity has increased across Europe since the pandemic began, meaning that cases are now more likely to be identified and recorded.

But Mr K luge said the new figures also showed “alarming rates of transmission across the region”.

Hospital admissions and deaths have not yet seen a similar rise, although Spain and France are seeing an upward trend.

Mr Kluge told Thursday’s briefing that lock down measures had produced clear results.

“In June cases hit an alltime low,” he said.

“The September case numbers, however, should serve as a wake-up call for all of us.”