COVID-19 Rampages Across Europe...Confirmed Cases Surpass 20,000 in Europe

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The cumulative number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) across Europe has surpassed 23,000. In Italy, the hardest-hit country, more than 2,000 new cases were reported in a single day, and the fatality rate soared to nearly 6%, almost double the global average. Extreme city lockdown measures are being considered, including the closure of all facilities except essential goods stores, pharmacies, and hospitals, centered around Lombardy, Italy's main outbreak region. Sweden reported its first death in Northern Europe. Famous American actor Tom Hanks also announced that he and his wife tested positive for COVID-19.

According to foreign media such as Bloomberg News, on the 11th (local time), Italy saw a sharp increase of 2,313 new COVID-19 cases in one day. The cumulative confirmed cases rose to 12,462. Other European countries outside Italy also experienced a surge in cases, with France reporting 2,281, Spain 2,262?both surpassing the 2,000 mark?and Germany increasing to 1,908. In Spain, the cumulative confirmed cases jumped nearly threefold in just three days, from 589 on the 8th. Additionally, Switzerland reported 652 cases, Norway 629, Denmark 514, and the total cumulative confirmed cases across 39 European countries reporting COVID-19 cases reached 23,507.

The number of deaths is also rapidly increasing. In Italy, 196 deaths were added in one day, bringing the total death toll to 827. Italy's case fatality rate, the ratio of deaths to confirmed cases, surged to 6.6%, double the global average of 3.4% announced by the WHO. Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, and Bulgaria each reported their first deaths. The total cumulative deaths in 13 European countries with fatalities reached 958.

In Lombardy, northern Italy, known as the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, the governor directly requested an extreme city lockdown from the central government. Attilio Fontana, governor of Lombardy, sent a letter to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, asking for the closure of all businesses and public facilities except supermarkets selling essential goods, pharmacies, and hospitals. It is also reported that he expressed the need for a complete city lockdown, including a ban on public transportation.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a public address warning about the dangers of COVID-19, including pessimistic forecasts. Merkel stated, "Experts say that if this situation continues, about 60-70% of the population will be infected with COVID-19," and warned, "There is no vaccine or treatment, and Germany's export-dependent economy could suffer greater damage." She pledged to slow the spread to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed and to ensure government functions can continue operating.

Across Europe, various events and sports matches that could attract large crowds are being canceled, and school closures are being implemented. Spain has banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people in principle and announced the closure of the lower house of parliament for a week along with school closures. In the Netherlands, all events including professional soccer matches and concerts have been canceled, and Germany's Bundesliga soccer matches will be held without spectators.

In Denmark, to support industries affected by COVID-19, the government decided to temporarily extend the deadlines for tax and value-added tax payments for domestic companies. Nikolaj Vammen, Denmark's Minister of Finance, estimated that this measure would provide an additional liquidity of approximately $19 billion (about 22.6 trillion KRW) to Danish companies. Since the first confirmed case on February 27, Denmark has reported 340 confirmed cases as of the morning of this day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.