EU statistics show that Since 31 December 2019 and as of 05 May 2020, 3,544,222 cases of COVID-19 have been reported gobally, including 250,977 deaths.
Europe: 141,780 deaths; the five countries with the highest death rates are: Italy (29 079), United Kingdom (28 734), Spain (25 428), France (25 201) and Belgium (7 924).
Statistics from Johns Hopkins University updated on 5th May show the disparity in mortality rates (deaths per 100 confirmed cases) in Europe’s richest countries:
Belgium – 15.8%
UK – 15.0%
France – 14.9%
Italy – 13.7%
Spain – 11.7%
Germany – 4.2%
Happened
Thursday 23rd April
As the number of persons infected with the Coronavirus in Germany passes 150,000, coalition parties agree on an additional Corona aid package worth billions of Euro aimed at supporting employees, the newly unemployed, medium and small companies, students and schools.
Saturday 25th April
As the phenomenon of popular conspiracy theories grows in Europe, hundreds of conspiracy theorists take part in a forbidden protest against Germany’s relatively successful anti-COVID measures in Berlin. Dozens are arrested. Similar Scenes are witnessed on Labour Day, 1st May, in Berlin, where COVID-deniers and those who blame “the Jews” attend a demonstration.
Monday 27th April
UK prime minister Boris Johnson makes his first, and to date, last speech since being released from hospital. He claims relative success for the UK: “we are on the brink of achieving that first clear mission to prevent our national health service from being overwhelmed in a way that tragically we have seen elsewhere”.
Thursday 30th April
Germany announces that social distancing measures will stay in place until May 10th
Sunday 3rd May
Spain. Millions of Spaniards take the opportunity to take to the streets and exercise for the first time in seven weeks as the government began a phased easing of the lockdown. The wearing of face masks is to be mandatory on public transport, and 14.5m masks are to be handed out across the country.
Monday 4th May
Italy. People are able to travel within regions to visit relatives, provided they wear masks. Schools, hairdressers, gyms and many other commercial activities remain closed.
Tuesday 5th May
The UK becomes the European country with the highest death toll. Office for National Statistics calculates the UK’s death toll to have overtaken Italy’s and to now stand at 32,313. The real number is likely to be significantly higher due to missed cases and a lag in reporting.
The government of Boris Johnson is facing calls for a public inquiry into the scale of the crisis. Dr Claudia Paoloni, president of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association trade union: “There will have to be a full investigation of the [government’s] handling of the Covid”.
Happening
Monday 11th May
A donor conference will be held in Germany, Chancellor Merkel is hoping to be able to collect 7.5 billion Euro for research on Corona. The goal is to have a vaccination against the virus and medication against COVID-19.
Friday 15th May
UK. 9.00 am – 12.00 pm Environment, the Food and Rural Affairs Committee will hold a virtual meeting to take oral evidence ON COVID-19 and the UK’s food supply.
Economic Impact Bulletin
