Coronavirus: Europe resists full lockdowns as second wave death tolls rise
- Anger continues to boil over in Italy, where thousands have protested in recent days against virus curbs
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel pushes for ‘lockdown light’ in crisis talks with country’s regional leaders
Europe’s resurgent coronavirus outbreak intensified on Wednesday after Italy’s new cases reached a record, while France and Britain reported the most deaths since May and April respectively.
There were signs of growing discontent across Europe because of renewed coronavirus restrictions, with violent incidents in Milan, Turin and Rome.
In a month, Italy’s daily infection numbers have roughly increased tenfold. On Tuesday, infections reached a record 21,994, while Covid-19-related deaths rose by 221, the highest daily figure since mid-May.
Nightly curfews have also been implemented in French cities. France reported 523 deaths from the disease on Tuesday, the most since April 22. President Emmanuel Macron was to speak in a televised address on Wednesday evening to announce additional measures.
Covid-19 patients now occupy 57.5 per cent of France’s intensive care beds, almost 3 percentage points more than on Monday and up from 42.9 per cent a week ago.