Copenhagen
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of “alarming rates of transmission” of the coronavirus as the global tally of positive cases crossed 30 million with large parts of Europe preparing for broad new restrictions.
Britain is limiting gatherings and France is set to roll out new curbs for major cities as governments across the continent battle fresh spikes of the disease.
More than 943,000 people have now died from COVID-19 since it first emerged in China late last year, according to an AFP tally, with Europe accounting for more than 200,000.
WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said a surge seen this month “should serve as a wake-up call” after the continent recorded 54,000 infections in a single day last week — a new record.
