Coronavirus cases surge across Europe, slow in China

New cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) are surging dramatically across Europe. 

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report released on Thursday revealed cases in Europe are skyrocketing, but appear to be slowing at the epicente of the outbreak in China.

Spain

In the last 24 hours, Spain has reported 615 more confirmed cases of coronavirus. Almost 50 people have died. 

The majority of cases are in Madrid, although all 17 regions in Spain have reported patients.

More than a hundred people are being treated in intensive care across Spain, reports El Pais.

Italy

COVID-19 is running rampant in Italy with almost 1000 new cases in the last 24 hours.

A total of 631 people have died from the disease with 168 of those in the last day and as a response the entire country has been placed into lockdown.

Residents are being urged to stay in their homes. Schools and universities have been closed until April 3 and all sporting events have been suspended.

 

Denmark

Denmark has also experienced a spike in cases with 172 cases confirmed overnight, bringing the countries total to 262. No one who has contracted the virus has died yet.

On Wednesday Denmark announced that flights from areas badly affected by coronavirus, including parts of Italy, would not be given permission to land in an effort the curb the outbreak. 

 

France

France has also seen an increase in its COVID-19 cases with 372 confirmed in the last day.

The country has a total of 1774 cases, and 33 deaths. 

As the virus spreads across the country French officials have warned against residents attempting to cure themselves with illicit drugs.

Reports of cocaine curing the virus were being shared on social media forcing the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to take action.

"No, Cocaine does NOT protect against # COVID19," the ministry warned on Twitter.

"It's an addictive drug that causes serious side effects that are harmful to people's health."

 

Iran

Another country in the grips of a devastating outbreak, Iran, has reported 881 new cases and 54 new deaths. 

As the virus spreads, Iran is taking drastic measures to slow it's impact.

The country temporarily freed approximately 70,000 prisoners to combat the spread of the infection in jails.

Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi announced the temporary release of prisoners as Iranian authorities seek to counter one of the worst national outbreaks outside China.

 

Israel

Israel has seen almost a 50 percent increase in reported cases overnight. The number of COVID-19 confirmations has risen to 75 with 36 in the last 24 hours. 

Israel has announced it will require anyone arriving in the country to self-quarantine for 14 days to fight the outbreak.

 

United States

More than 224 new cases have been reported overnight across America with six new deaths.

The total amount of cases in the US has reached 696.

In response to the outbreak, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping travel ban on Thursday.

Anyone travelling to the US from Europe will be banned from entering for 30 days. The ban excludes the United Kingdom.

 

China

Cases of the virus in China appear to have slowed dramatically with only 31 new cases reported and 22 new deaths - a far cry from earlier reports which showed new cases surging by over a hundred daily.

As cases slow in the epicentre of the outbreak the virus has continued to creep across the globe.

 

Four new countries have reported cases of COVID-19. Jamaica, Burkina Faso in West Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo have all confirmed they have seen their first cases of COVID-19. 

Globally, 118,326 people are confirmed to be infected with 4627 in the last 24 hours.

World Health Organisation reports 280 people have died from the virus in the last day and 4292 since it broke out in December 2019.