European countries saw the number of coronavirus cases climb on Saturday as the World Heath Organization (WHO) announced that the figure outside China already hit 20,000.
A total of 21,114 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by 93 countries and regions outside China as of 10:00 CET Saturday, an increase of 3,633 infections from the previous day, according to the WHO daily situation report released Saturday evening.
COUNTRIES HARDEST HIT
Italy, France and Germany were the hardest hit as their numbers of new infections soared around 1,000, 300, and 150 respectively in the day.
Italy's health authorities on Saturday urged people to strictly follow the rules imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus as its accumulated cases reached 5,883, including 233 deaths and 589 recoveries. The rise in new cases was 1,145 while new fatalities stood at 36.
The new rules included a ban to all cultural events, including those in cinema and theaters, unless they could guarantee "the compliance with the interpersonal safety distance of at least one meter."
The same safety measures were also recommended to all people in their daily social life.
France confirmed on Saturday a total of 949 cases of coronavirus infection, up 336 from the previous day, and 16 deaths, according to Health General Director Jerome Salomon.
"The virus is actively spreading in certain areas that we are monitoring closely," Salomon said, adding that France remained at "Stage 2", or the pre-epidemic level, in the country's epidemic alert system, which meant that the virus is not yet actively spreading all over the country.
Since Feb. 28, all gatherings which expected to draw 5,000 people in confined spaces as well as certain events in an open environment have been banned across France. Some 150 schools were shut down, involving 45,000 students and 3,000 teachers.
Local authorities especially of two heavily affected regions -- l'Oise in northern France and Haut-Rhin near German borders -- have ordered the closure of all educational institutions for 15 days starting from March 9.
According to Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer, 155,000 students are involved in l'Oise and 127,000 in Haut-Rhin, all of whom will be able to follow "class at home".
At the daily briefing, Salomon once again urged people, notably the children, to limit visits to elderly people, who are most vulnerable to a coronavirus infection.
He also reiterated the need to respect "simple and effective barrier gestures," including frequent hand washing, using one-time tissues, coughing or sneezing into the elbow, avoiding handshakes and hugs.
In Germany, the German news agency dpa reported that the country's total cases went up to around 800 on Saturday.
OTHER COUNTRIES
The Netherlands and Belgium both reported 60 new confirmed cases on Saturday, bringing their total to 188 and 169 respectively.
Austria now has 79 cases after reporting 16 new cases on Saturday, while Greece saw its number clime to 66, including 21 new cases.
The Republic of Moldova confirmed its first case while the United States European Command announced the first positive case of a U.S. service member in Europe, after a navy sailor stationed in Naples, Italy tested positive for the virus.
In Luxembourg, the Ministry of Health reported its 4th case on Saturday, which has an epidemiological link with northern Italy.
Finland reported four new cases on Saturday, bringing the country's total to 19, while the confirmed cases in Estonia rose to ten.
Slovenia issued a decree on Saturday banning all public indoor events for 500-plus visitors, as its confirmed coronavirus cases increased by four to 12.
Romania reported three new cases on Saturday, and the country's total rose to 12. As of noon Saturday, 16 people are currently in institutional quarantine in Romania nationwide, and 12,927 are monitored at home.
Poland reported its sixth case on Saturday, and Hungary its 5th. Malta confirmed two new cases, who were parents of a 12-year-old Italian girl, its first case.
The Portuguese government announced on Saturday the closure of some schools and institutions due to the coronavirus outbreak, while recommending the postponement of social events, as its cases rose to 21.
Ireland added one case on Saturday, bringing the total to 19, including two healthcare workers.
