Italy and Spain bear the brunt as European death toll tops 20,000
TOTAL coronavirus deaths in Europe have exceeded 20,000, making it the world’s worst-hit continent, with threequarters of fatalities occurring in Italy and Spain.
And it was in that country where the pandemic claimed its first royal victim, Princess Maria Teresa, 86, the cousin of the Spanish king.
Italy has been hit by the highest number of infections and deaths, which are now doubling every three days. The death toll exceeded 10,000 yesterday, when it recorded 889 in the last 24 hours, down slightly on the record high on Friday. The northern region of Lombardy reported 542 new deaths yesterday, bringing its total to 5,944.
Spain reported 832 new fatalities, its highest daily count, pushing the total to 5,690. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Saturday that all nonessential workers must stay at home for two weeks.
France reported 319 new deaths yesterday, bringing the total to 2,314. The number in France and Spain is believed to be higher than the official figures as they do not include all of those who die at home or in care facilities.
Despite the rising deaths, he said an apparent decline in the infection rate indicated that “the disease is stabilising and we can say some areas of the country may have passed the peak, although we can’t say the same at a national level”.
Questioned by reporters, Mr Simon declined to specify which areas he believes have passed the worst.
The virus has severely strained health systems in Italy, Spain and France. Doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers in Spain’s worst-hit regions are working long hours and falling ill at an alarming rate. More than 9,000 of the country’s health workers are infected.
Meanwhile, French doctors warned supplies of drugs needed for intensive care patients, such as painkillers and sedatives, are dangerously low.
Spain and France have struggled to get coronavirus tests and protective gear for health workers. Both countries have imported face masks from China, with French medical unions demanding more protective gear.
Russia has announced it will temporarily shut all its borders from Monday after a sharp increase in infections. Health officials reported 228 new cases on Saturday, a total of 1,264. The country has reported only four deaths, but the figures have been disputed.
Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, warned: “The fight is only just beginning. The first two weeks in April will be more difficult than the two weeks we’ve just been through.”