Europe is now working hard to maintain its health systems afloat as the region is fastly becoming the new epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns are widespread in European countries with nations gathering military forces to help contain the virus.
The region is also deploying nurses and doctors who have just graduated to attend to the pandemic. At the same time, the very nations within Europe are competing for medical supplies as they all turn to international supplies.
In Vienna, Austria firefighter and volunteers worked hard to transform a 15,000 square foot hall to a makeshift hospital with 880 beds. Austria now has 3,631 confirmed cases, with 607 newly reported cases. Total deaths are at 16, with eight new fatalities as of March 23.
In Spain, clothes manufacturers have halted productions and instead shift to making medical masks and protective clothing for front liners. The country has also deployed its military for tasks like the disinfection of public places.
The Spanish military has also performed distributions of testing kits. Through the tasks it carries out, officials are now making grim discoveries that old people sick with the virus are abandoned and left in their beds to die.
Spain now has 28,572 confirmed cases; 3,646 new cases; 1,720 confirmed deaths, and 304 new fatalities.
In France, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the lockdown already in place nationwide could last for months as the country sees more cases each day. Beginning Tuesday, people will only be allowed to exercise outside once a day and just within one kilometer from their homes. Burial ceremonies will be limited to 20 attendees. All outdoor markets are closed. Meanwhile, big enterprises started giving out their support for the government's measures. Parisina perfume makers are instead making hand sanitizers in the meantime.
France now has 15,821 confirmed cases; 1,525 new cases; 674 deaths, and 112 new fatalities.
In the United Kingdom, full lockdown took effect on Monday. The UK now has 5,687 confirmed cases, 669 new patients; 281 total deaths and 48 new fatalities.
Switzerland will start repatriating its citizens from Peru, Colombia, and Costa Rica. About 750 Swiss will be flown back to the country from Lima, Bogota, and San Jose. The government estimates there are about 15,000 Swiss now abroad and it's looking for ways to get them home as soon as possible.
As the region scrambles to address the virus heads on, Italy offers a glimmer of hope as it reported a lower number of infections for two days in a row. The Italian government signed a decree on Sunday allowing only essential businesses to operate until April 3. Big companies have therefore heeded the call. Eyeware manufacturer Luxottica, Ferrari, and Pirelli suspended operations in the meantime. Fiat Crysler stopped all productions in all European and North American facilities.
Italy has the highest number of infections and deaths country next to China. The death toll in the country has in fact surpassed China this week. It remains to be the hardest-hit country in all of Europe.
Germany also offers hopes as the country shows an indication that it has flattened the curve of COVID-19 cases. It now has 24,774 total cases, 3311 new infections; 94 deaths, and 27 new fatalities.
