Coronavirus: the state of the world facing the pandemic Monday, April 6

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Europe foresees a lull and various countries discuss the measures to be taken to gradually leave containment, while British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized on Sunday. At the other end of the world Japan declares a state of emergency in certain regions. The United States can expect a very difficult week, the authorities have warned.

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The balance sheet of the pandemic rises this Monday to 70 009 dead in the world. Over 1.2 million people are officially infected across 191 countries and territories.

Europe is regaining hope. Several countries refer to the end of containment, a catalog of supporting measures. The continent seems to reach a plateau in the epidemic: the number of new cases and hospitalized patients is decreasing. With 50,000 deaths, Europe has the highest number of officially registered victims in the world.

With a number of new cases in clear decline, Austria evokes the lifting of confinement from April 14. But the return to normal will be long, only small businesses could reopen at first. Schools would welcome pupils again from mid-May, when it would be possible to go to restaurants again. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz gives himself a week to validate this calendar. In all cases, wearing a mask will be compulsory in transport, as it has been in supermarkets since last Monday.

In Germany the federal authorities wish to impose 14 days of isolation on all travelers coming from abroad. The Länder, the regional governments of this federal country, will decide. The measure is expected to come into force on April 10, but could cause difficulties in certain regions where there are many cross-border workers. At the same time Berlin is studying the way out of confinement according to the Reuters agency. The country announced Monday the fourth consecutive decrease in the number of cases of contamination in 24 hours (+3677), and now counts 95,391 cases and 1,434 victims. Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to address her compatriots on Monday evening.

In the Czech Republic, if stabilization is confirmed, the easing of confinement could begin on Thursday with the reopening of certain businesses such as those relating to construction materials or stationery. Certain sports activities, which do not involve rallies, could also resume.

Bad news from Italy, the balance sheet goes up again

While the country finally saw the end of the tunnel after several consecutive days of decline, the toll is up again with 636 more deaths in the last 24 hours. Italy is the European country most affected by the epidemic and the north is particularly bruised. The total number of victims is now 16,523; the number of cases detected was 132,000.

In Spain, however, the decline is confirmed

With 16,000 dead, Spain is seeing the end of the health tunnel, with declining indicators. The country also notes a decrease in the number of hospitalizations. Just behind Italy, the country has 13,000 dead. Madrid is considering making the wearing of masks mandatory.

"It is too early to drop guard," says French authorities.

Despite the rising temperatures, you have to stay at home, the virus does not take a vacation warns the health ministry on twitter.

The coronavirus epidemic has killed 8,911 people since early March in France, including 833 in the past 24 hours, said French Minister of Health Olivier Véran on Monday.

Of these additional deaths, 605 occurred in hospitals, the others in institutions for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) or in medico-social institutions, said the minister. The number of resuscitation patients in serious condition recorded its lowest net balance since the start of containment measures on March 17 with 94 more patients, but " we are not at the end of the epidemic ascent ", a pointed out the minister.

Wearing a mask is gaining ground

Will it be necessary when the time comes to make the wearing of the mask compulsory as envisaged by other countries? Since last week the official discourse on the usefulness of the mask for all has changed, it is now recommended. The controversy is booming and some politicians blame the government for its lack of transparency at the start of the health crisis. Private initiatives are multiplying to remedy the shortage. Even individuals are getting started, using the many videos available on the internet. Géraldine, a resident of the Paris region, has taken out her sewing machine and supplies masks to retirement homes in the area.

In the United Kingdom, however, there was no lull. Prime Minister Boris Johnson could spend a second night at the hospital where he was admitted on Sunday for tests related to his infection. He has "good morale" and continues to lead the country, specifies his team. On twitter, he thanked the staff of the public hospital on Monday and invited the British to stay at home. The epidemic continues to grow on British territory, with a toll of 5,368 deaths.

In Ireland a doctor like no other has returned to service: Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will return to his original profession one day a week. By referring patients by phone, it will help to lighten the workload of the nursing staff.

The situation is most alarming in the United States

In reverse situation to that of Europe, in the United States the epidemic is soaring. The United States crossed Monday the barrier of 10 000 identified deaths from the new coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University, whose count, continuously updated, refers. The country should expect the worst this week, warn political and health officials. It will be “Pearl Harbor across the continent,” predicts public health administrator Jerome Adams.

Louisiana is one of the most affected states. The mayor of New Orleans reports in the press that the city's mortuary services no longer have room to receive the remains of the victims. In New York, epicenter of the epidemic, the governor warns: the healthcare system is saturated, the equipment and the staff are lacking. Mario Cuomo announced the extension of the confinement until April 29.

The United States is no exception to the chloroquine debate

Useful, chloroquine? The director of the Institute of Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci is not convinced, Donald Trump is. Tensions on the subject have risen a notch in Washington explains our correspondent Anne Corpet: During the press conference this Sunday, Donald Trump thus prevented Dr. Fauci from answering a question about the effectiveness of the treatment. According to the Axios website, the debate over the use of chloroquine has even given rise to a heated argument within the White House crisis cell.

State of emergency declared in Japan

Japan notes an acceleration of the epidemic and several regions will be placed in a state of emergency from Tuesday. The country is little affected to date, the new coronavirus has killed 73 people and contaminated 3,650. Tokyo will surely be placed in a state of emergency, estimates the governor of the megalopolis who recorded a record 148 new infections on Sunday. Compared to those of many countries, the Japanese state of emergency measures are flexible: people will be asked to stay at home, without forcing them to do so. Essential businesses will be called to close. In Tokyo the authorities have already called telework and advised against going out.

The government of the third world economy announced Monday a support plan of more than 915 billion euros to cushion the shock of the epidemic.

The Ruby Princess is safe

In Australia it's the end of the ordeal for the crew of the Ruby Princess, stranded at sea for weeks. The cruise liner docked near Sydney with its crew, several of whom show symptoms of Covid 19. The ship's 2,700 vacationers had landed in mid-March. Among them 10 died. They represent a quarter of the victims of the epidemic in the mainland.

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