Europe’s 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak crossed a dark milestone today, with the number of deaths surpassing the one-million mark. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the number of people infected with the disease is growing exponentially despite tremendous efforts to halt the spread of the epidemic.
Official figures compiled by AFP show that as of 18:30 GMT today (2:30 a.m. on Taiwan 13), the number of people who have died in 52 European countries has reached at least 1 million 288.
We are at a critical point in the epidemic,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist in charge of the novel coronavirus outbreak. “The trajectory of the epidemic is growing exponentially,” she told reporters.
She told reporters, “Sixteen months into the outbreak, this is not the outcome we want to see, given the solid precautions that have been taken,” she said.
According to reports, the new coronavirus has claimed more than 2.9 million lives worldwide and nearly 136 million people have been diagnosed with the disease.
Despite the heartbreaking news from Europe, the world’s worst region, the United Kingdom, which has the fifth highest number of deaths, today loosened restrictions for the first time after months of strict precautions, allowing people to enjoy the freedom to have a drink at an open-air bar, eat in a restaurant’s outdoor space, or go to a hair salon to get their hair styled.
It’s great to see everyone again, to see everyone,” Louise Porter, a hostel operator, told AFP.
“Just like everyone else, our lives have been turned upside down by the epidemic.
In addition to bars, restaurants and hair salons, England’s indoor gyms and swimming pools have been allowed to reopen.
After a successful vaccination program and a number of containment measures, the United Kingdom, once the worst affected European country, saw a 95 percent and 90 percent reduction in deaths and confirmed cases from January.
Italy has also been the epicenter of the epidemic in Europe, and Rome today saw hundreds of people take to the streets to protest against the blockade measures.
France now has the highest number of infected people in Europe, and authorities are expanding vaccination coverage, adding optimism to a weary population. France has now opened up the COVID-19 vaccine to those over 55 years of age.
In addition, in another encouraging development, clinical trials have shown that Regeneron’s antibody therapy for COVID-19 may also help prevent infection.
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