Coronavirus: the state of the world facing the pandemic on Monday, April 20

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The new coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 165,216 people worldwide since its onset in December in China, and more than 2,403,410 cases of infection have been officially diagnosed in 193 countries and territories. Some countries are cautiously embarking on the deconfinement of their populations.

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• France crosses the 20,000 dead mark

The France passes the 20 mark 000 deaths, with 547 more deaths in 24 hours. A total of 20,265 people have died since the start of the epidemic in early March. But for the twelfth consecutive day, the number of people hospitalized in intensive care is down: they are still 5,863 this Monday (-61), while France had only 5,000 beds in intensive care before the start of the epidemic.

The confinement set up on March 17 is beginning to be relaxed: as of this Monday, visits are again authorized in nursing homes and establishments that welcome people with disabilities. However, these are limited to two people and physical contact with residents is prohibited. La Poste, whose services have been reduced with the coronavirus crisis, announces that letter carriers will spend one more day a week throughout France from Tuesday to deliver mail.

In Italy , the number of Covid-19 patients fell for the first time on Monday to 108,237, 20 fewer than the previous day. There were 454 additional deaths recorded, slightly more than the day before. With a total death toll of 24,114, the first relief measures will not be taken before May 3. But little by little, companies reopen, even if it is only partially and with great care.

In Spain , 399 deaths have been recorded in the last 24 hours against 410 the day before. These are the lowest figures in four weeks. A total of 20,852 people died from the disease. Particularly strict confinement must remain in place until May 9. Children will however be allowed to go out for the first time to get some fresh air from April 27, under conditions which remain to be specified.

In the UK , the coronavirus epidemic has killed 449 more people in 24 hours in hospitals, the smallest increase in at least two weeks. But the government does not yet plan to break the confinement introduced on March 23. Since the start of the epidemic, 16,509 people have died from Covid-19 disease in hospitals and 124,743 have been infected.

• Several European countries relax their containment measures

With 135,000 cases identified and around 4,000 deaths, Germany , the European economic engine, is also easing the restrictive measures put in place to fight the pandemic. The authorities allow the reopening of stores with an area of ​​less than 800 m2. This particularly concerns food stores, bookstores, garages, clothing stores and florists. Federalism obliges, the measure is applied in a significantly different way in the sixteen state-regions of the country. Schools and high schools will gradually reopen from May 4. The situation remains "  fragile  ", however warns Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Luxembourg , he reopens construction sites, municipal recycling centers, DIY stores, garden centers and landscapers. But the mask is compulsory in places where a safety distance of two meters cannot be respected, such as public transport. To date, the duchy has 3,550 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 73 deaths.

In Norway , nurseries and nursery schools reopen. The second homes are accessible again. In Slovenia , some small businesses were able to reopen on Monday, imposing strict social distancing measures. Golf courses or badminton courts may also reopen, as these are not contact sports. Slovenians, who had been prohibited from leaving their city of residence since March 30, are now allowed to go to their second home on weekends.

In Denmark , small businesses have been authorized to reopen their doors on condition that strict sanitary and separation conditions are respected. The government has also decided to exclude companies registered in tax havens from the assistance systems implemented in response to the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Poland took the same measure.

In the Czech Republic , deconfinement has started and should run until June 8. Outdoor markets, artisans and small traders, schools and universities have started to reopen. In Serbia , it will start tomorrow. The confinement of the elderly will be reduced and activity may resume in certain sectors. The Albania authorizes the recovery of economic activity in some 600 areas, including agriculture, animal husbandry, food production, mining and textiles, fisheries ...

Hundreds of people demonstrated on Monday in Vladikavkaz, in the Russian Caucasus, against containment measures to stem the Covid-19 pandemic, with protesters highlighting the economic hardship it has caused. The Russia account Monday, 47 121 cases of coronavirus officially confirmed, including 405 deaths, but has not yet reached the peak of the pandemic.

• The epidemic continues to grow in Japan

Japan now has the most cases in Asia after China and India. He exceeded 10,000 this weekend, despite the establishment of the state of emergency. The latest report from the Ministry of Health reported 171 deaths out of 10,751 cases in the archipelago since the start of the crisis, an increase of some 400 cases in 24 hours.

In South Korea , part of the population has returned to work, but also shopping centers, parks, golf courses and even certain restaurants under the relaxation of social distancing measures decided during the weekend. Only 13 new cases were announced on Monday. The death toll has been 236 since the start of the epidemic.

In India , the government has authorized a partial resumption of economic activity from Monday. Some industries are concerned: construction, plantations, fishing, mainly in rural areas. But returning to work faces practical difficulties. Transport is at a standstill, the borders between states closed and supply chains at a standstill. India has so far recorded 559 deaths out of 17,656 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the last official count on Monday morning. These figures are probably partial due to the weakness of screening.

• In Iran, economic activity has partially recovered, mortality has started to rise again

The Iran , the Middle East most affected by the pandemic, recently allowed some businesses to reopen their doors, so as not to further weaken an economy already weighed down by US sanctions. In parallel with the resumption of activity, the number of deaths has started to rise again. According to official figures, Covid-19 has killed 5,209 people out of 83,505 officially registered cases.

In Israel , certain professions were able to return to work on Sunday and some large shopping streets, closed since the confinement started on March 17, were able to reopen. The government has also authorized the return to school of children with special educational needs, in groups of up to three.

• Demonstrations in the United States and Brazil against containment

After a series of rallies in a dozen states this weekend and others scheduled for Monday in California and Ohio, nearly a thousand people demonstrated on Monday against confinement in Harrisburg, the capital of the Pennsylvania. The demonstration was the first of its kind in this state ruled by a democrat, Tom Wolf, and considered one of the key states for the presidential election of 2020. Pennsylvania recorded more than 33,000 cases of coronavirus and 1,204 deaths , becoming the fourth most affected American state, far behind New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The United States is the country most affected by the epidemic in the world, with more than 40,000 deaths.

In Brazil , President Jair Bolsonaro hopes that the containment measures taken by state governors to stem the coronavirus will be lifted this week, when the peak of the pandemic has not yet been reached. The latest official report shows 38,654 confirmed cases and 2,462 deaths, and the Ministry of Health estimates that the peak could be reached during May-June.

Our selection on SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

• Listen to Coronavirus Info , daily chronicle on the pandemic

• Explanation:  The origins of the Covid-19

• Analyzes:
→ What strategies to face the epidemic ?
→ What impact on conflict zones?

• Practical questions:
→ What we know about the mode of contagion
→ How do we treat the sick ?
→ What results for the ongoing clinical trials?
→ How the Institut Pasteur hopes to find a vaccine
→ How to make a mask and use it well

Find all our articles, reports, chronicles and programs on the coronavirus by clicking here .

See also the files of RFI Savoirs  on the Covid-19:
• Birth of a pandemic
• Everyday life to the test
•  The history of epidemics

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• Coronavirus
• France
• Germany
• Iran
• Containment