Italy overtakes China as nation with most virus deaths

Infection cases in Europe go past 100,000 mark

Italy passed a grim milestone yesterday when it overtook China as the country with most reported deaths from the new coronavirus sweeping the planet.The world has stepped up its war to try to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19, with several countries imposing lockdowns that are keeping tens of millions of people trapped in their homes. But the death toll has soared in Europe even as China saw a glimmer of hope with zero new domestic cases reported for the first time.

Italy announced another 427 fatalities on Thursday, taking its total to 3,405, according to AFP. China, where the outbreak first emerged in December last year, has officially reported 3,245 deaths. Globally, the death toll from the virus -- whose main symptoms are a dry cough and fever -- has risen to over 9,000.

Meanwhile, the number of cases of the new coronavirus reported in Europe has surpassed 100,000. Europe has at least 100,470 recorded infections,

including 4,752 deaths, overtaking Asia with 94,253 cases and 3,417 deaths.

This number of diagnosed cases reflects only a fraction of the actual number of infections as many countries test only those with the most severe symptoms.

Besides, countries have tightened border controls and unleashed nearly a trillion dollars to prop up the teetering world economy, only to see the once-in-a-century pandemic seemingly spiral further out of control.

China listed no new domestic infections for the first time since the outbreak first erupted in the central city of Wuhan in December, before spreading worldwide. It appeared to have staunched the virus with strict measures including a complete quarantine of Wuhan since January, meaning the number of infections and deaths in the rest of the world have surpassed those in China.

But there were fears that Asia faces a second wave of cases imported from abroad, with 34 new cases reported in China, the highest figure for two weeks.

‘Paying a big price’

US President Donald Trump, who has come under fire for his response to the crisis, charged Thursday that the world was paying for China's lack of transparency on the outbreak of the new coronavirus there several months ago.

Trump has said he views himself as a "wartime president", even as his administration faced growing criticism over a lack of testing for coronavirus and for the speed of its response.

"It could have been contained to that one area of China where it started. And certainly the world is paying a big price for what they did," he said.

As the toll surged in his country, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the national lockdown, which has been copied around Europe, would be prolonged to April 3, shattering hopes of a quick end to the crisis.

"We will not be able to return immediately to life as it was before," he said.

France also mooted extending the two-week lockdown ordered this week by President Emmanuel Macron, as the interior minister blasted "idiots" who flout home confinement rules and put others at risk.

The disease continued to hit high-profile figures with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and Monaco's Prince Albert II among those testing positive.

‘Enemy against humanity’

The battle is only just beginning across the rest of the world, with the shadow of the virus lengthening across Africa.

The Nigerian mega-city of Lagos announced it would shut its schools while Burkina Faso confirmed the first death in sub-Saharan Africa.

Russia reported its first death and even the Pacific nation of Fiji said it had its first case.

The UN warned that as nations bring in shutdowns and travel bans, some three billion people lack even the most basic weapons to protect themselves from the virus: soap and running water.

World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to "come together as one against a common enemy: an enemy against humanity".

Countries are taking increasingly drastic steps to stem infections, with Australia and New Zealand banning non-residents from arriving, and India imposing a one-day nationwide curfew.

Britain closed dozens of London Underground stations and shut down schools, although the government denied reports it was about to lock down the capital.

 

Italy overtakes China as nation with most virus deaths

Infection cases in Europe go past 100,000 mark

Italy passed a grim milestone yesterday when it overtook China as the country with most reported deaths from the new coronavirus sweeping the planet.The world has stepped up its war to try to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19, with several countries imposing lockdowns that are keeping tens of millions of people trapped in their homes. But the death toll has soared in Europe even as China saw a glimmer of hope with zero new domestic cases reported for the first time. Italy announced another 427 fatalities on Thursday, taking its total to 3,405, according to AFP. China, where the outbreak first emerged in December last year, has officially reported 3,245 deaths. Globally, the death toll from the virus -- whose main symptoms are a dry cough and fever -- has risen to over 9,000. Meanwhile, the number of cases of the new coronavirus reported in Europe has surpassed 100,000. Europe has at least 100,470 recorded infections, including 4,752 deaths, overtaking Asia with 94,253 cases and 3,417 deaths. This number of diagnosed cases reflects only a fraction of the actual number of infections as many countries test only those with the most severe symptoms. Besides, countries have tightened border controls and unleashed nearly a trillion dollars to prop up the teetering world economy, only to see the once-in-a-century pandemic seemingly spiral further out of control. China listed no new domestic infections for the first time since the outbreak first erupted in the central city of Wuhan in December, before spreading worldwide. It appeared to have staunched the virus with strict measures including a complete quarantine of Wuhan since January, meaning the number of infections and deaths in the rest of the world have surpassed those in China. But there were fears that Asia faces a second wave of cases imported from abroad, with 34 new cases reported in China, the highest figure for two weeks. Paying a big price US President Donald Trump, who has come under fire for his response to the crisis, charged Thursday that the world was paying for Chinas lack of transparency on the outbreak of the new coronavirus there several months ago. Trump has said he views himself as a wartime president, even as his administration faced growing criticism over a lack of testing for coronavirus and for the speed of its response. It could have been contained to that one area of China where it started. And certainly the world is paying a big price for what they did, he said. As the toll surged in his country, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the national lockdown, which has been copied around Europe, would be prolonged to April 3, shattering hopes of a quick end to the crisis. We will not be able to return immediately to life as it was before, he said. France also mooted extending the two-week lockdown ordered this week by President Emmanuel Macron, as the interior minister blasted idiots who flout home confinement rules and put others at risk. The disease continued to hit high-profile figures with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and Monacos Prince Albert II among those testing positive. Enemy against humanity The battle is only just beginning across the rest of the world, with the shadow of the virus lengthening across Africa. The Nigerian mega-city of Lagos announced it would shut its schools while Burkina Faso confirmed the first death in sub-Saharan Africa. Russia reported its first death and even the Pacific nation of Fiji said it had its first case. The UN warned that as nations bring in shutdowns and travel bans, some three billion people lack even the most basic weapons to protect themselves from the virus: soap and running water. World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to come together as one against a common enemy: an enemy against humanity. Countries are taking increasingly drastic steps to stem infections, with Australia and New Zealand banning non-residents from arriving, and India imposing a one-day nationwide curfew. Britain closed dozens of London Underground stations and shut down schools, although the government denied reports it was about to lock down the capital.