Europe is now the "epicentre" of the global coronavirus pandemic, the head of the World Health Organization says. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/eu-policies/health-eu-policies/coronavirus-italy-on-high-alert-and-eu-tests-its-readiness-for-covid-19/ #eudebates #coronavirusitalla #Covid_19 #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #Corona #COVD19 #Health #EUCO #COVID <br /><br />Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives.<br /><br />"Do not just let this fire burn," he said.<br /><br />His comments came as several European countries reported steep rises in infections and deaths. Italy has recorded its highest daily toll yet.<br /><br />There were 250 deaths recorded over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 1,266, with 17,660 infections overall.<br /><br />Spain, the worst-affected European country after Italy, reported a 50% jump in fatalities to 120 on Friday. Infections increased to 4,231.<br /><br />Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says a state of alert will come into effect there on Saturday for two weeks. <br /><br />Controls are also being introduced at an increasing number of borders in Europe, in response to rapid spread of the virus.<br /><br />Why is Europe the 'epicentre'?<br />More than 132,500 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in 123 countries around the world, according to the WHO.<br /><br />The total number of deaths has reached about 5,000 - a figure Dr Tedros described as "a tragic milestone".<br /><br />"Europe has now become the epicentre of the pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China," he said.<br /><br />"More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic." <br /><br />As well as the increases in Spain and Italy, France has now confirmed 2,876 cases and 79 deaths, up from a total of 61 deaths on Thursday.<br /><br />Germany has seen 3,062 cases and five deaths. There have been 798 confirmed infections in the UK and 11 deaths. <br /><br />What are European countries doing about it?<br />Announcing the state of alert in Spain, Mr Sanchez said the government would "mobilise all the resources of state to better protect the health of all of its citizens".<br /><br />It will be able to limit movement, order evacuations, prohibit access to certain places and intervene in industry for up to 15 days.<br /><br />"Victory depends on every single one of us," Mr Sanchez said. "Heroism is also about washing your hands and staying at home."<br /><br />All but "essential travel" to parts of Spain should be avoided, says the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.<br /><br />Italy has imposed a nationwide lockdown.<br /><br />Meanwhile, at least 10 other countries in Europe are enforcing border closures, including:<br /><br />Denmark: Closes borders to foreign visitors from Saturday<br />Czech Republic: Bans all foreigners from entering the country, except those with residence permits. Bans most of its own nationals from leaving<br />Slovakia: Closes borders to all foreigners except those with a residence permit.<br />Austria: Closes three land border crossings
