European countries are on high alert as coronavirus (Covid-19) is spreading rapidly across the region.
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in China in December last year has already led to approximately 3,100 deaths and over 90,000 infections, marking its spread to at least 68 countries, as of 03 March.
Although Europe reported its first Covid-19 case nearly one month after China alerted WHO on the outbreak, it soon became the second most coronavirus impacted region after Asia Pacific, to date.
China, the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic, is the most affected country worldwide, followed by South Korea in Asia Pacific region.
The Covid-19 spread in Europe has intensified between 25 and 28 February, with as many as 20 European countries recording their first and/or additional cases.
Of all the European countries with confirmed coronavirus cases, Italy recorded the highest number of coronavirus Covid-19 infections, followed by France and Germany.
Commenting on the situation in Italy, WHO regional director for Europe Dr Hans Kluge said: "This presents a significant challenge for the Italian authorities. I have been personally assured that your fellow citizens are all working hand in hand and making every effort to contain and prevent transmission of the disease."
On 02 March, the European Union increased the coronavirus risk level from moderate to high.
At a press conference, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: "The ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) has announced today that the risk level has risen from moderate to high for people in the European Union. In other words, the virus continues to spread."
Below is the list of countries affected by novel Covid-19 in Europe.
Italy
– Italy is the hard-hit country in Europe, reporting a total of 2,036 confirmed cases and 52 deaths.
– The nation’s first two positive coronavirus cases were reported on 30 January, while the first death occurred on 22 February.
– Majority of the infections are concentrated in Lombardy and Veneto regions. Several other countries in Europe traced new cases to Italy.
– The government locked down several towns and cancelled major events to control the spread of the virus. Israel is the first country to ban visitors from Italy.
Germany
– Germany confirmed a total of 165 cases. The first case was reported on 28 January in a man in Starnberg. The patient was said to have contracted the infection via human-to-human transmission.
– At a press conference on 27 February, Health Minister Jens Spahn said that Germany is at the start of a coronavirus epidemic after authorities failed to trace sources of infection.
– On 28 February, the country experienced a surge of nearly 20 cases and quarantined hundreds in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.
France
– A total of 191 confirmed cases and four deaths have been reported in France.
– On 24 January, the country reported its first two Covid-19 cases, also the first in Europe. The first death occurred on 15 February, marking the first casualty outside Asia.
– President Emmanuel Macron warned on 27 February that a coronavirus epidemic is coming in France. Reporting a surge of 20 cases that day, Health Minister Olivier Véran said that the country is making necessary preparations for an epidemic.
United Kingdom (UK)
– The UK government confirmed a total of 40 cases. The first two cases were reported in England on 31 January in members of the same family.
– The UK Secretary of State announced new regulations to deal with the coronavirus spread, which has been categorised as a serious and imminent threat to public health.
– On 28 February, first cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland and Wales regions.
Spain
– A total of 120 cases have been recorded in Spain, which confirmed its first case on 01 February.
– Majority of the confirmed cases are said to be Italians or people with a travel history to Italy. On 27 February, health authorities launched an investigation into suspected ...
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