Health

Roundup: Czechs in lockdown, minister in ICU, UK increases aid

Madrid Desk, Oct 22 (efe-epa).- The Czech Republic returned to lockdown on Thursday, while Belgian’s foreign minister was admitted to intensive care with Covid-19.

Elsewhere in Europe, Germany saw a spike in cases, Britain increased economic support for businesses and Italy imposed fresh measures.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The country was put back into lockdown after daily infections increased by 25 percent over the last 24 hours with 14,968 cases reported.

The infection rate over the last two weeks has been 976 per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest in the European Union.

There are around 124,000 active cases, of which 4,400 are hospitalized, four times more than at the beginning of October.

Military forces are constructing a field hospital with 500 beds for Covid patients in Prague which will be operational from Sunday.

Authorities said measures introduced in the past weeks, including closures of schools, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, have not worked to slow the contagion.

A state of emergency was imposed until 3 November and fresh restrictions came into force on Thursday, with residents only allowed to leave their homes to go to work, the doctor, shop or to exercise.

Shops have been closed except for pharmacies or those selling food and essential products and outdoor gatherings have been limited to two people.

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