(CN) – After weeks of lockdowns, the wave of death caused by the coronavirus pandemic is slowing in Spain, France and Italy, Europe’s hardest-hit countries, and the debate is turning to how and when restrictions can be eased.
On Sunday, the daily death toll in Italy dropped to slightly more than 500 fatalities, its lowest number of deaths in two weeks, though it reported 636 new deaths Monday evening. Spain too is seeing its fatalities fall. On Monday, Spain reported 637 new deaths, a big drop from four days ago when it recorded 950 deaths in a single day. France and Germany also are seeing signs of a slowdown.
Still, it’s far too early to say the outbreak is under control and, despite the growing optimism, the daily death counts in the worst-hit countries remain extremely high and the spread of the virus continues. More than 50,000 people have died in Europe from the pandemic, according to official data. But the toll is likely much higher because many deaths in homes and nursing facilities have not been classified as caused by the virus because the victims are not tested.
Also, there are places in Europe, such as Romania, the United Kingdom and Russia, where the worst may still be coming. There are also concerns that countries like the Netherlands and Sweden, where restrictions have not been as harsh, may have set themselves up for outbreaks.
On Monday, Sweden appeared ready to impose restrictions to contain an outbreak of the virus. Sweden has been an exception in Europe and kept schools, restaurants, bars and businesses open. On Sunday evening, Carl XVI, the king of Sweden, told Swedes to stay home and on Monday the government said it wanted to be given emergency powers to contain the virus. So far, 477 people have died in Sweden, a much higher number than its Nordic neighbors where restrictions were imposed.
The growing crisis in the U.K. was underscored by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson being admitted to a hospital on Sunday because he was suffering from persistent symptoms after contracting the virus. On Monday, Johnson's condition worsened and he was moved into intensive care. Also on Sunday, Queen Elizabeth II spoke to the nation and comforted Brits in a rare televised speech by thanking those fighting the virus and promising Brits “better days will return.”
On Monday, the U.K. announced the death of 439 more people, bringing its total to 5,373. By comparison, in Italy 16,523 people have died, in Spain there have 13,169 fatalities and in France 8,911, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, the virus has caused the deaths of more than 72,600 people and infected more than 1.3 million people.
There’s an urgency to lift restrictions and get economies going again as Europe sinks into a recession and European leaders quarrel over how to pay for the tremendous costs the pandemic is causing. The hardest-hit nations of the European Union are upset that Germany and the Netherlands have resisted calls for EU-wide financing to help those afflicted and divisions so big have opened up they threaten the very foundations of the EU.
On Monday, Austria became the first country to announce it will be easing restrictions after Easter. Austria has not been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, reporting 220 deaths and more than 12,200 confirmed cases of infection. The Czech Republic said it too was looking at releasing people from lockdown. Denmark on Monday said it will reopen some schools after Easter.
Experts warn that lifting restrictions too early and without rigorous methods to prevent the virus from spreading could trigger new outbreaks, a risk that is weighing on European leaders.
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