[ad_1]
The Czech government has extended the state of emergency until December 23, as the number of Covid-19 infections began to rise again.
The Czech Republic recorded 6,402 new cases yesterday, the fastest growth since November 19, bringing the country’s total count since March to 563,333 cases and 9,226 deaths.
“If the situation continues to deteriorate, we may have to tighten the measures again on Monday,” Health Minister Jan Blatny told reporters.
The state of emergency facilitates decision-making for the government in times of crisis.
The government eased some restrictions a week ago when it reopened restaurants and bars, small shops, museums and galleries and increased the meeting limit.
But since then it has reduced the opening hours of restaurants, which must close at 8 pm starting last night.
Ministers have been criticized for the measures described as chaotic by critics, as they often do not coincide with the government’s five-tier epidemic system introduced in November.
Latest coronavirus stories
Yesterday, several pubs across the country rebelled against the measures and remained open after 8pm despite the risk of a hefty fine.
The Czech Republic saw a massive spike in Covid-19 cases in early autumn with daily increases of around 15,000 cases, and has been struggling to flatten the growth curve ever since.
Germany virus numbers are getting ‘worrisome’: health official
Coronavirus infections and related deaths in Germany are likely to rise further in the coming weeks, said a senior health official at the Robert Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases (RKI).
The current rise in Covid-19 infections is concerning, said RKI chief Lothar Wieler. “The situation remains very serious and has deteriorated over the past week. We are currently seeing an increase in infections.”
The head of RKI’s surveillance unit, Ute Rexroth, said that the increase in cases, especially in the federal states of Thuringia, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt, was worrying.
The reported Covid-19 death toll in Germany continues to rise dramatically, rising from 440 to 20,372 in the past 24 hours, RKI data showed.
Confirmed Covid-19 cases in Germany rose by 23,679 to 1,242,203, setting a new record for daily increase, according to RKI data. The previous record was an increase of 23,648 recorded on November 20.
Europe’s largest economy has been partially blocked for six weeks, with bars and restaurants closed but shops and schools open.
That has stopped the exponential growth of the coronavirus, but the second wave of Covid-19 is proving much more difficult to tame and is causing a greater number of human victims than the first.
Denmark to extend strict lockdown measures to more areas – TV2
The Danish government will extend the stricter lockdown measures currently in place in 38 municipalities to around 30 new municipalities, broadcaster TV2 reported.
On Monday, the government announced the partial closure of 38 municipalities, including the capital Copenhagen, after seeing signs of an exponential rise in infection rates, resulting in the closure of bars, restaurants and museums.
Fear of coronavirus on cruise ship is false alarm, says Singapore
A passenger who tested positive for Covid-19 aboard a ‘cruise to nowhere’ from Singapore, forcing the ship to return to the dock and isolate nearly 1,700 guests, was found not to have the virus, the Ministry of Education said. Singapore Health.
Passengers on the Royal Caribbean ship Quantum of the Seas were held in their cabins for more than 16 hours yesterday after an 83-year-old man, who sought medical help on the ship for diarrhea, tested positive for Covid-19.
When the ship returned to port, the passenger was taken to the hospital where two more tests were performed that did not reveal infection.
A third negative test today led authorities to declare it virus free.
All guests and crew who had been in close contact with the patient would no longer have to self-quarantine as previously instructed, the ministry said.
Royal Caribbean said in a statement that it welcomed the news and would continue to work with the government to “refine” its protocols.
Royal Caribbean had canceled a cruise leaving today, but the city-state tourism board said the pilot plans, which offer non-stop round trips from Singapore, could go ahead as planned.
Wedding planner faces a £ 10k flap after dozens of people gathered in East London
The organizer of an East London wedding may face a £ 10,000 (€ 10,989) fine after police shut down a reception attended by more than 50 people.
Metropolitan Police officers were called to an address on Creek Road, Barking, on Saturday night and found a large number of people in violation of coronavirus regulations.
Under England’s Tier 2 regulations, wedding ceremonies and seated receptions can only have 15 attendees.
Police said more than 50 guests were at the wedding, which was being officiated by the organizer.
The officers spoke to the bride and groom, whose explanation was that only 15 guests were invited, but other people kept arriving during the day with gifts and then stayed.
As a result of the infringement, 37 people were reported for a fixed penalty notice to be considered and the organizer faces a possible £ 10,000 fine.
Additional reporting PA
[ad_2]