European countries have yet to completely lift movement restrictions amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, and despite an apparent decline in new COVID-19 cases in some areas, most governments are keeping their guards up.
Italy Releases Some Mafia Bosses
Italy's anti-mafia prosecutor Federico Cafiero De Raho revealed on Sunday that some of the country's most infamous mafia bosses have been put under house arrest as part of the efforts to prevent COVID-19 infections in some correctional facilities, CNN reported.
Among the mafia bosses who were freed temporarily and placed on house arrest are Casalesi clan member Pasquale Zagaria, Ndrangheta member Vincenzo Iannazzo, and Francesco Bonura, a well-known boss in the Sicilian Cosa Nostra.
To ensure that the mafia bosses on house arrest will not be in contact with other people outside the prison due to their histories with the said organization, they have been held under "extra isolation measures."
Some politicians have expressed dismay over the release of the said mafia bosses, with some questioning the decision made by the national corrections department.
Spain Sees Slight Hike in Fatalities
On Saturday, Spain reported 378 deaths linked to COVID-19, bringing the country's total coronavirus death toll to 22,902.
According to The Local Spain, the country's daily death toll over the last 24 hours marked a slight uptick in fatalities, as Friday logged 367 deaths from the coronavirus.
Despite a slight hike in deaths, health experts in the country expressed hopes for better days as antibody tests have been carried out and will continue to be implemented as part of the efforts to determine which recovered patients can donate blood for potential COVID-19 treatment.
Spain is the second hardest-hit country in the world, and is the first hardest-hit in all of Europe.
France to Reveal Lockdown Easing Strategy
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday will present the country's strategy for gradually coming out of the devastating lockdown that dealt the economy a hard blow.
The lockdown in France is set to be lifted on May 11 and in Philippe's strategy involves 17 priority points wherein French citizens can rely on as they start reverting back to life as usual before the COVID-19 crisis.
As of Saturday, France reported 158,636 confirmed coronavirus cases and 22,245 deaths from the highly-infectious disease. It is the third hardest-hit European nation.
Germany Ups Antibody Testing
Germany has started ramping up antibody testing among citizens to determine the immunity levels in the community.
Thousands of tests have already been carried out but more tests are necessary to establish clear links in studies being done by epidemiologists and scientists focused on detecting which people have antibodies that should allow them to get back to work first.
On the other hand, board member of the Professional Association of German Laboratory Doctors (BDL) Matthias Orth noted that quick antibody tests are "nonsense." He went on to warn people to refrain from using home kits unless these are accurately approved by the country's health department.
Germany has logged 154,999 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 5,760 deaths as of Saturday.
Around 96 New Military Pop-Up Testing Facilities to Run Next Month
In the United Kingdom, at least 96 new pop-up facilities will be run by the military starting sometime May, BBC reported.
The news came amid efforts by the government to complete 100,000 tests per day by Thursday of this week. The announcement was also made as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to get back to Downing Street on Monday.
Health experts have been reiterating that mass testing is necessary to determine the true extent of coronavirus infections in the country.
As of Saturday, the U.K. logged 143,464 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 20,319 deaths. It is the fifth hardest-hit country in the region.
