New cases, curfews, new measures and international highlights: update on the weekend’s news concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many departments at a high level of vulnerability
While France recorded a new record of contamination cases on Saturday with 32,427 cases identified by Public Health France (and 29,837 new cases on Sunday), 84 departments are currently in high vulnerability level, which represents 83% of French territory.
First curfew evening in France
Saturday, from 9 p.m., the streets of a dozen large French cities gradually froze in silence. The Île-de-France, Toulouse and its metropolis, Greater Lyon, the metropolises of Aix-Marseille, Lille, Montpellier, Rouen, Grenoble and Saint-Etienne have been subject, since Saturday, October 17, to a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., for a minimum of four weeks. A measure that concerns more than 20 million people.
More than 250,000 dead in Europe: tougher measures
As the new coronavirus has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people in Europe, many countries have tightened their measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Switzerland has thus extended the obligation to wear a mask to all places open to the public throughout the country and prohibits gatherings of more than 15 people in public spaces. In several large cities in Poland, middle and high schools will have to practice distance education and restaurants will have to close at 9 p.m., among other restrictive measures.
Record of contaminations in Italy and the United Kingdom
Sunday, October 18, Italy identified 11,705 new cases of coronavirus contamination in 24 hours. A new record compared to the 10,925 cases recorded on Saturday. The United Kingdom has meanwhile identified 16,982 new cases of infections in 24 hours, against 16,717 on Saturday, October 17. This rebound led the authorities to strengthen the restriction measures and establish local lockdowns.
Israel begins gradual deconfinement
After noting a drop in cases of contamination, Israel began Sunday, October 18, the first stage of its gradual deconfinement, which will run until February 2021.
New Zealand registers one case of Covid-19
While her Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, congratulated her country on “Conquered the virus”, New Zealand has recorded a new case of Covid-19 contamination.
Relaxation of measures in Melbourne
After more than a hundred days of drastic restrictions, the authorities have lifted certain measures concerning the movement of residents.
13 new cases in China
China has identified 13 new cases of contamination in the past 24 hours. According to the National Health Commission, the 13 cases are people from abroad.
Two vaccines in request for authorization for November
US companies Pfizer and Moderna plan to apply for authorization for their Covid-19 vaccines by the end of November in the United States, which would mark an unprecedented speed record for vaccine development.
