While the number of coronavirus
deaths worldwide passed 210,000, countries are facing the
epidemic, which is manifesting varying degrees of intensity in
different states, in very different ways.
Contagion Rate Rises Again in Germany.
The Sars-Cov-2 contagion rate has gone back up in Germany
and, for the first time, on average each positive person infects
another, according to the Robert Koch Institut.
It said that 156,000 contagions and 6,000 deaths have been
registered so far.
Given these figures, the executive of Chancellor Angela
Merkel is holding off calls from various quarters to relax the
restrictive measures.
Doctors Protest.
The newspaper pages were dominated by the protests of
doctors, who took to the streets undressed to highlight the lack
of facemasks, gloves and other protective material.
In the meantime, it has been decided that it will be
obligatory in all Berlin shops to wear facemasks after the local
authorities came into line with other parts of Germany.
Schools Set to Gradually Reopen in France.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told parliament that,
as of May 11, France will see a "very gradual reopening of
nursery and elementary schools, on a voluntary basis".
Sports Season Over.
However, the professional sports season, above all the soccer
championship, will not resume.
Places of worship will be able to reopen but they will not be
allowed to organize functions and ceremonies before June 2,
although it will still be possible to hold funerals with a
maximum of 20 people.
Spain's Over-65s Set to Get OK to Go for a Stroll.
The relaxation of the restrictive measures has already
started in Spain, with under-14s being authorised to go outside
of their homes for an hour a day, although the lockdown has been
extended until May 9.
The government has announced that, as of May 2, over-65s will
be allowed to go for a stroll if the coronavirus pandemic
indicators are encouraging.
Austria to Stop Restrictions on Movement.
Austria is suspending restrictions on movement from May 1.
The obligation to respect a minimum distance of one metre
from others and to wear a facemask remains though, the Vienna
government announced.
Furthermore, in May events with 10 participants and funerals
with 30 people will be allowed.
No Hospital Patients in China's Wuhan.
The number of coronavirus hospital patients in Wuhan, the
Chinese city at the centre of the pandemic, "has dropped to
zero" - the last patient in a serious condition recovered on
Friday, April 24. In the whole province of Hubei, the number of
cases of contagion is under 50 and there have been no new cases
of infection in the last two weeks.
Over 56,000 Deaths in the USA
In the United States, where the number of coronavirus deaths
has passed 56,000, President Donald Trump has mooted the
possibility of reopening schools before the end of the academic
year, at least in some states.
Race to Stop Virus in Africa.
There is a race to stem the tide of the coronavirus in
Africa, where there are over 31,000 cases and 1,400 victims.
Almost five weeks of rigorous lockdown in South Africa, in
particular, have slowed the spread, buying precious time for
hospitals to prepare for a sudden increase in infections.
The authorities have warned that they expect an increase when
the restrictions are revoked, which is scheduled to take place
gradually as of May 1.
Argentina Hit Hard.
Argentina is one of the countries hit hardest in Latin
America, with 4,000 cases and 192 deaths.
It has decided to halt all domestic and international
commercial flights until September 1 due to the pandemic.
It had already closed its borders to non-residents in March.
Sydney Beaches Reopen.
Finally, in Australia, Sydney has reopened its beaches to the
public, five weeks after the imposition of restrictions to stop
the spread of the coronavirus.
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