The Italian government has imposed tighter restrictions on another five regions as it tries to stem escalating new cases of coronavirus, while still resisting a nationwide lockdown.

Seven out of Italy’s 20 regions are now so-called “orange” zones, signifying medium-high risk, after a new decree signed by the health minister, Roberto Speranza, overnight.

Abruzzo, Basilicata, Liguria, Tuscany and Umbria join Sicily and Puglia in closing bars and restaurants, while their residents are now forbidden from travelling to other regions.

Another four regions – among them three in the populous north, which includes the financial capital of Milan – are subject to even tighter “red” restrictions, with most shops, bars and restaurants shut and residents’ movements restricted.

France:

France reported 551 new Covid-19 deaths on Monday evening, the highest number of the second wave, according to French public health director Jérôme Salomon. And the head of Santé Publique France warned that the worst of the spike was to come.

Salomon said France had the 4th highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the world – an extra 20,155 were reported on Monday – but attributed this to what he called “particularly high” testing in the country. France is now carrying out around 2.3m tests a week.



England & Wales:

Weekly death toll in England and Wales jumps 41%

In England and Wales, a total of 1,379 deaths registered in the week ending October 30 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It is first time the weekly figure has been above 1,000 since the week ending 12 June.

It is also the highest number of deaths involving Covid-19 since the week ending 5 June. The total is up from 978 deaths in the week to 23 October – a jump of 41%.

Spain:

20 Million Doses Of Pfizer’s Covid-19 Vaccine Headed To Spain In Early 2021.

Spain’s health minister has said the country is in line to receive 20 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s new Covid-19 vaccine early next year, which early results indicate could be 90% effective at preventing the disease with no serious safety concerns, a welcome announcement after parts of the country were rocked by violent anti-lockdown protests after the government declared a state of emergency over rising Covid-19 cases.