The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency to keep Madrid in partial stalemate, while other countries in Europe are trying to deal with the steady rise in new coronavirus cases.
The first measures came after Italy registered more than 5,000 new daily cases of coronavirus for the first time in six months, while Germany registered more than 4,000 new infections for the second day in a row. After a meeting with the mayors, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that some areas would be given 10 days to improve the situation or face tougher action.
Blocking Madrid for a week stops all non-essential movements in and out of closed areas, but allows movements for medical reasons. Bars and restaurants - whose capacity has been limited to 50% - must close at 23:00. Madrid Regional Health Minister Enrique Ruiz Escudero described the state of emergency as "an unjustified attack on the people of Madrid". However, this region accounts for a third of all Spanish cases.
After the disease control agency in Germany registered 4,516 new cases in the previous 24 hours, Merkel said stricter measures could be needed. "The coming days and weeks will decide how Germany will overcome the pandemic this winter," she said, adding that Berlin has emerged as one of the hotspots of the second wave of the pandemic.
In Italy, the number of new daily cases reached 4,458 on Thursday and 5,372 on Friday. Experts advised the Ministry of Health on the pandemic warning that the country risks reaching 16,000 new infections a day, "like France, Spain and the UK".
Southern Italy was relatively unharmed by the first phase of the pandemic in Italy, but now Campania is recording the highest number of daily infections, followed by Lombardy, Veneto and Lazio. "This insidious virus is filling hospitals again," Walter Ricciardi, president of the Italian National Institutes of Health, told SkyTg24. Latina, a province in Lazio, was placed under a 14-day mini-blockade on Thursday after a 155% increase in cases in recent days. In Italy it is mandatory for people to wear face masks outside, while the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte advised families to keep them inside even if they are in the company of a large group of people.
Në Francë, ku u raportuan më shumë se 18,000 raste të reja të enjten, pothuajse 25% e shtretërve të njësive të kujdesit intensiv janë të zëna nga pacientët e infektuar me Covid - edhe pse shifra rritet në 40% në rajonin e Parisit.
Britania e Madhe regjistroi më shumë se 17,000 raste të reja të koronavirusit të enjten, ndërsa qeveria vendosi kufizive në vendet e konsideruara si pika të nxehta.
Regarding the situation of Covid-19 in the country, the Ministry of Health reported 169 new cases of infection (October 9). "Positive cases confirmed in the last 24 hours have been identified in the following municipalities: 55 affected in Tirana, 22 affected in Korca, 14 cases in Elbasan, 9 cases in Shkodra and Durres, 8 cases in Fier, 7 cases in Lushnje, 6 cases in Lezha, Vlora, Mirëditë, Tropojë, 2 cases in Kavaja, Berat, Mallakastër, Klos, 1 case in Krujë, Kurbin, Kukës, Has, Mat, Gjirokastër, Divjakë, Malësi e Madhe, Prrenjas, Peqin, Gramsh, Kuçovë "Skrapar," reads the announcement.
Sources: Guardian, Euronews, European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health and Social Protection
