WHO "유럽 코로나 확산세 매우 심각"<br /><br />The World Health Organization has called the wave of new COVID-19 cases in Europe a "wake-up call".<br />The majority of countries across the continent have seen a more than 10 percent rise in cases in the past two weeks.<br />The organization is cautioning European nations against shortening their quarantine periods.<br />Kim Jae-hee has the details.<br />The World Health Organization has warned of "very serious situation" in Europe, as new COVID-19 infections surge dramatically across the continent.<br />The WHO's European regional director said on Thursday that weekly cases in Europe have now exceeded those reported in March, when the pandemic first peaked.<br />He said the increase in cases should serve as a warning, and cautioned countries against shortening 14-day quarantine periods.<br />"The September case numbers, however, should serve as a wakeup call for all of us. Although these numbers reflect more comprehensive testing, it also shows alarming rates of transmission across the region."<br />According to the regional director, more than half of the countries in Europe have seen a greater-than-10 percent surge in cases in the past two weeks.<br />France is seeing the number of new daily cases soar, with reporting an all-time record of 10-thousand-593 cases on Thursday.<br />The UK, which has the third-highest number of cases in Europe, has seen an alarming rise in infections across northern England in recent weeks.<br />Italy, with the fourth-highest number of infections in Europe, has also seen new cases rise.<br />European governments are imposing tight measures in an effort to halt a second wave of the pandemic.<br />UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Thursday that tighter restrictions will apply in the northeast of England from Friday.<br />The measures include a ban on socializing with anyone outside the household, and a 10 PM curfew for bars, pubs, restaurants and leisure centers.<br />Kim Jae-hee, Arirang News.<br />
