Europe has been trying to prevent a second wave of new coronavirus cases but some countries have recently reported a significant increase in daily infections.
UK Hits Record Cases Since May
The UK on Sunday reported an additional 2,988 new confirmed COVID-19 cases - the highest number of daily new infections since May 23.
For British health secretary Matt Hancock, the rise in daily infections in the country is "concerning," especially since the UK appears to have successfully contained the first wave.
Furthermore, there are rising concerns regarding the increasing number of cases among younger people as business reopenings have encouraged a wave of group gatherings such as parties and other crowd events.
Hancock said there had been rises across Europe and it was "so important that we do all we can to prevent that happening here." He said the new positive tests were predominantly among younger people but warned that this could lead to a rise across the population as a whole, because it had happened elsewhere.
Concern Over Further Reopening in the UK
With increasing daily cases in the UK there is concern about further reopening of businesses and school operations as more reopenings are scheduled over the next few weeks.
Reopenings due for this week include sports facilities, gyms and swimming pools. Classes for colleges and universities are expected to resume soon, too.
As of Sunday, the UK had 347,152 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 41,551 deaths.
French Departments on Code Red Reach 28
On Sunday, France placed seven more second-tier administrative departments under code red following a significant increase in coronavirus cases.
Code red areas in France are those considered areas of "active circulation of the virus." Departments on code red are given "enhanced powers" to take action against the current COVID-19 situation to prevent further spreading.
As of Sunday, France had 324,777 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 30,724 deaths.
There are now 28 departments under code red - including Le Havre, Nord, Seine-Maritime and Bas-Rhin. The first time France coded a department red was Aug. 14.
Germany Breaches 250,000 Cases
Meanwhile, Germany on Monday added 814 new confirmed COVID-19 cases - bringing national infections to 250,799.
German President Frank Walter Steinmeier said the government was discussing whether those who had succumbed to the novel coronavirus should be honored through an official memorial.
Steinmeier's comments came within a debate on how COVID-19 victims should be buried. In Germany and many other countries coronavirus victims are treated in isolation and most die without seeing their loved ones.
So far, Germany has 251,724 confirmed coronavirus infections.
Inside Italy's First Cruise Amid Pandemic
In Italy, the Switzerland-based MSC Cruises ship the Grandiosa left the port of Genoa earlier last month - the first cruise trip that welcomed customers since the pandemic started.
Three thousand passengers boarded and were each tested before boarding. Customers who showed symptoms or those whose results were positive immediately disembarked.
As part of the efforts to prevent cruise-linked COVID-19 clusters MSC implemented strict anticoronavirus measures to ensure the safety and health of passengers.
Among the precautions taken before the ship set sail included preboarding coronavirus testing, provision of face masks and passenger briefings on proper social distancing.
So far, there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to the Grandiosa. The first journey of the Grandiosa raised hopes for the hard-hit cruise industry.
