With governments scrambling to contain a slew of new coronavirus cases popping up across Europe, here is an overview of the countries affected, where people have died and the precautions being taken.
ITALY
With 12 deaths and 400 infections, Italy is by far the European country worst affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. It has also been a point of contagion with many cases in other countries involving people who returned home after travelling in infection-hit areas of northern Italy.
GERMANY
In Germany, 26 people have been infected, including 10 diagnosed since Tuesday. Fourteen of the 26 work for an equipment manufacturer in Bavaria, and were infected by a colleague returning from China. Several hundred people are quarantined in their homes.
FRANCE
France has so far registered 18 infections and two deaths, and has urged its nationals to delay any plans to visit virus hotspots in northern Italy. Students returning from China, Singapore, South Korea and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto are being asked to remain at home for two weeks after their return.
SPAIN
Spain has registered 16 cases, 14 of which have been detected since Monday. Eleven of them are linked to Italy.
Among the number are four Italians who were visiting Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The hotel where they were staying has been quarantined.
The authorities are trying to work out how one person in Seville caught the virus.
BRITAIN
Britain has thus far recorded 15 cases, including two announced on Thursday: one patient had been in Italy and the other in Tenerife. The government has requested travellers returning from affected areas in northern Italy, China, South Korea and Iran to isolate themselves and inform authorities.
RUSSIA
Two infected Chinese citizens have been treated in Russia, which has repatriated and quarantined eight passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, of whom three have tested positive.
AUSTRIA
A 72-year-old man in Vienna tested positive on Thursday, making him Austria’s third case after an Italian couple, both 24, tested positive on Tuesday.
The Innsbruck hotel where the Italian woman worked as a receptionist was initially placed on lockdown but the measure was lifted late Tuesday following tests. Austria has also urged its nationals to avoid visiting affected areas of neighbouring Italy.
CROATIA
Three people have tested positive for the virus, including a young man who recently stayed in Italy and his brother. A third case was detected Wednesday in a man who works in the Italian city of Parma.
GREECE
Greece has announced three cases—all Greeks who had recently returned from northern Italy.
Athens announced its first infection on Wednesday, a woman aged 38. Two more were announced on Thursday, including a 10-year-old.
All three affected are Greek nationals.
The authorities have cancelled carnival celebrations planned for this weekend.
FINLAND
Two virus infections were confirmed Wednesday—a Chinese tourist in Lapland and a second case involving a Finnish national who had recently visited northern Italy.
SWEDEN
Two cases have been detected so far. One was registered at the end of January: a woman who had visited Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus emerged in December. On Wednesday, a second infection was discovered—in a man returning from northern Italy.
BELGIUM
One case was detected in a Belgian national who was repatriated from Wuhan in early February. He has completed his quarantine period.
DENMARK
Denmark announced its first case on Thursday—a man returning from a skiing trip to northern Italy. His wife and son tested negative. He is described as not in danger, and the family is being confined to their home.
GEORGIA
Georgia on Wednesday announced the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in the South Caucasus region.
NORTH MACEDONIA
One case has been detected—a woman who recently returned from Italy.
NORWAY
Norwegian health authorities announced Wednesday the first case of the new coronavirus in the Nordic nation in someone who returned from China last week. They said the patient was not in danger.
ROMANIA
Romania reported its first case on Wednesday—a man who was in contact with an Italian who visited the country last week.
SWITZERLAND
Source: Read Full Article