国际英语资讯:Spotlight: European nations ramp up responses to contain COVID-19 as WHO calls for unity_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: European nations ramp up responses to contain COVID-19 as WHO calls for unity

BRUSSELS/GENEVA, March 26 -- European nations on Thursday brought in more tough measures to curb the contagion as COVID-19 continues its advance in the continent.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged all countries to unite against the pandemic, warning that "millions could die" without aggressive action.

SURGING NUMBERS

Italy is one of the nations bearing the brunt of COVID-19 in Europe. It has seen the total number of infections rise to 80,539, according to the latest count released by the Civil Protection Department on Thursday. The death toll there has increased to 8,165.

In neighboring France, the virus claimed 365 lives in 24 hours, bringing the total fatalities to 1,696 while the number of confirmed cases jumped to 29,155.

Jerome Salomon, Director General of Health, noted however that currently the number of deaths only takes into account those who passed away in hospital. Deaths in retirement homes and at home will be available soon, which is likely to result in a big increase in fatalities.

On the same day across the English Channel, Britain reported the single-day deaths of more than 100 for the first time since the outbreak of the disease, taking the tally to 578. Confirmed cases in the country has risen to 11,658.

To date, Spain and Germany have seen the number of confirmed cases up to 56,188 and 36,508 respectively. The total death toll in Spain exceeded 4,000.