Europe crosses 500,000 Covid-19 deaths as new variant spreads
Europe became the first region worldwide to cross 500,000 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally, as a new variant of the coronavirus discovered in Britain threatened the region’s prevention measures to curb the pandemic.
Reports of the mutated variant out of England prompted a pre-Christmas lockdown and have forced dozens of countries close their borders to British travellers this week.
Europe became the first region worldwide to cross 500,000 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally, as a new variant of the coronavirus discovered in Britain threatened the region’s prevention measures to curb the pandemic.
Reports of the mutated variant out of England prompted a pre-Christmas lockdown and have forced dozens of countries close their borders to British travellers this week.
Italy, the nation with the highest death toll in Europe, on Sunday detected a patient infected with the new variant as have Denmark and France.
To curb the spread, European countries are considering screening passengers on flights from UK and obligating quarantine for travellers upon arrival.
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom became the first nation to approve the Pfizer Inc - BioNTech vaccine followed by the United States, European Union and other countries.
Europe has reported about 30% of the global Covid-19 fatalities and cases so far, according to a Reuters tally.
- Reuters
Drugmakers rush to test whether vaccines stop new coronavirus variant
Sweden to fast-track pandemic bill permitting wider shutdown
Covid-19 reaches end of earth as first outbreak hits Antarctica
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.