Europe continues to be at the heart of the increasing spread of covid-19.

In the last seven days, 1,424,267 new cases have been reported and 12,603 ​​people have died.

The continent now accounts for 46 percent of the world's newly registered corona falls, reports the World Health Organization WHO.

Increase in Belgium and Ukraine

In Ukraine, 165 people have died in the past 24 hours, according to the country's Security Council.

It is the highest registered daily figure ever in the country and just over 20 deaths more than the previous peak a week ago, wrote TT.

Belgium has been hit by a second wave and is now at the top among countries with the most infections per 100,000 inhabitants, reports the EU's infection control unit ECDC.

The country's health minister recently described the spread of the infection as a "tsunami" and the country has imposed nocturnal curfews to curb the spread.

Bars and restaurants close in Germany

Further restrictions are now pending in France and Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Wednesday that restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and museums will be closed from 2 November.

The restrictions apply for four weeks from the start date.

This is after the country's infection control authority RKI reported over 10,000 new cases per day.

However, the Federal Chancellor is said to want to keep schools and preschools open.

Merkel will hold meetings with the country's regions on Wednesday to reach an agreement on the new rules.

France is holding its breath

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce new restrictions during a televised speech at 8 pm tonight, Wednesday.

The country, which recently reported the highest number of deaths since April, has already imposed night curfews in several cities.

According to several newspapers and radio channels, all of which refer to unnamed sources, Macron is expected to announce a new shutdown for four weeks during tonight's speech.

"We must prepare for tough decisions," French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told TT.

The EU must pay for rapid tests

There have already been closures and curfews in Spain, the Czech Republic and Italy, among others.

But the measures are not enough, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said on Wednesday that the EU is now allocating 100 million euros to roll out rapid tests to the member states.