Coronavirus resurging in Europe as restrictions ease, World Health Organisation says

Up to 30 European countries have seen resurgences of the deadly virus, with the region continuing to report close to 20,000 new cases and 700 new deaths daily

Poland, Germany and Spain were singled out for their swift responses to outbreaks in schools, coal mines, and food production settings in recent weeks

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Sunseekers cool off in a river in London on June 24. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:44pm, 25 Jun 2020Updated: 9:44pm, 25 Jun 2020

Europe has seen a surge of Covid-19 cases since countries began easing restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the potentially fatal virus, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday.

“Last week, Europe saw an increase in weekly cases for the first time in months,” the WHO’s regional director for Europe Hans Kluge told reporters.

He said more than two dozen countries in Europe had seen resurgences of the deadly virus.

“Thirty countries have seen increases in new cumulative cases over the past two weeks. In 11 of these countries, accelerated transmission has led to very significant resurgence that if left unchecked will push health systems to the brink once again in Europe,” he warned.

A police officer walks next to apartment buildings under lockdown following a coronavirus outbreak in Germany. Photo: DPA

Kluge did not identify the countries by name, nor provide detailed numbers.