European countries have recorded some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases in the world but as cases slowly decline, Italy is eyeing a potential easing in the lockdown that has impacted the economy since it was implemented.
Italy Mauls Potential Lockdown Easing
Italy is cautiously but hopefully carrying out discussions on the potential easing of the national lockdown that has been beating on the economy over the past month, The Local Italy reported.
The news came after the country recorded its lowest death toll yet in one week on Sunday, when 433 fatalities were registered. The said figures also marked the second lowest number of fatalities in Italy for a month.
Due to be lifted on May 4, Italian leaders are mulling whether lockdown easing can include allowing people to leave their homes and reopening businesses. Health experts have been reiterating that there should be cautiousness in easing the lockdown due to potential repeat patients and the resurgence of COVID-19 clusters.
As of Sunday, Italy has registered 178,972 confirmed coronavirus cases and 23,660 deaths.
Spain Sees Significant Drop in Deaths
Spain on Sunday logged 410 fatalities from the novel coronavirus, marking a sharp drop from Saturday's toll of 565. Health experts noted that the significant decline in deaths gives hope to citizens.
According to The Local Spain, health minister Salvador Illa said the country appears to have reached its goal of "flattening the curve" of new COVID-19 infections among citizens.
The largest number of deaths recorded in Spain was 950 on April 2. The said number is believed to be the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country so far. Despite passing the supposed peak, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said over the weekend that he will propose an extension of the lockdown.
As of Sunday, Spain registered 198,574 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 20,453 deaths.
France to See Difficulties in Going Back to Usual Routines
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said during his coronavirus briefing on Sunday that even if the lockdown is due to end on May 11, "life will not go back to normal."
Philippe's comments came as he announced that the COVID-19 outbreak in France is finally "under control." On the other hand, Philippe remained cautious in giving out statements that would raise false hopes amid the possibility of resurging new cases, as was the case in some Asian countries such as Singapore.
The lockdown easing in France will only apply to select businesses and schools on May 11 as restaurants and bars have yet to be allowed to open.
As of Sunday, France registered 152,894 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19,718 deaths.
Germany to Start Early, Gradual Steps to Normality
Unlike other European neighbors Italy and France, Germany appears to be more optimistic as it is due to start taking early and gradual steps towards going back to life as usual this week.
Some of the business segments that are set to open gradually on Monday are fashion stores, flower shops, and most stores that take up less than 800 square meters.
Each of Germany's 16 states are also expected to slowly start lifting movement control restrictions in their own pace as there are other hard-hit states such as Berlin that will take longer to reopen.
As of Sunday, Germany recorded 145,184 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4,586 deaths.
UK Preps Use of Plasma from Recovered Patients for COVID-19 Treatment
The United Kingdom is preparing all necessary processes in the use of blood donated by coronavirus survivors as a means of treating still battling patients who contracted the disease.
According to BBC News, the National Health Service's (NHS) Blood and Transplant department is hoping that antibodies in the blood of recovered donors will help destroy the virus in patients who have yet to test negative of the COVID-19 strain.
The NHSBT revealed that it has started reaching out to recovered patients to determine whether their blood can be used to treat coronavirus sufferers. "We envisage that this will be initially used in trials as a possible treatment for COVID-19," the organization said.
As of Sunday, the U.K. has recorded 120,067 confirmed coronavirus cases and 16,060 deaths.
Over 4,000 New Cases in Russia
Russia on Monday revealed that it saw 4,268 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the country's total to 47,121, Russian news agency TASS reported.
Aside from thousands of new cases, the country also saw 40 new deaths. On the other hand, 155 people have since recovered and recovered over the past day, bringing the country's total recoveries to 3,446.
So far, Russia recorded 405 deaths from the COVID-19 outbreak.
