Europe is showing signs of becoming COVID-19 global epicenter, again. Here's what you need to know

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Many countries in Europe are recording more cases of COVID-19 each day now that they were during the first wave of infection earlier this year.
New COVID-19 cases have doubled in five weeks, propelling the region to cross the 10 million milestone of total infections on Sunday.
According to a Reuters analysis, Europe almost took nine months to record its first 5 million COVID-19 cases. However, the next 5 million cases were reported in slightly over a month.

Police officers on horses conduct a control to check exemption certificates and verify the identity on the Champs-Elysee avenue as France re-imposed a monthlong nationwide lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), in Paris October 31, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

In Europe, there have been over 127 coronavirus cases and four deaths per 10,000 residents. For comparison, in the United States, there have been 278 cases and seven deaths per 10,000 residents.
Eastern Europe has the highest number of cases, accounting for nearly one-third of the total reported COVID-19 cases. Russia is the worst-affected Eastern European country with over 1.6 million infections.
The region currently accounts for about 22% of the global infections of 46.3 million. Meanwhile, with over 269,000 deaths, Europe accounts for 23% of the global death toll of 1.2 million.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?

France, Germany, Belgium, Greece and the United Kingdom announced nationwide lockdowns for at least the next month.

In France, people will only be allowed to leave their homes to buy essential goods, for medical reasons and to exercise for an hour a day.

"The virus is circulating at a speed that not even the most pessimistic forecasts had anticipated," French President Emmanuel Macron said.
A staff member of Chon Thong restaurant carries a table away, ahead of the month-long lockdown in Germany which begins on November 2 due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Berlin, Germany, November 1, 2020. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
In Germany, gyms, cinemas, theatres, bars and pubs will close, while restaurants will remain open for takeaways only. Schools will remain open.
Spain and Italy are are also tightening restrictions while Portugal reimposes partial lockdown in most of the country