Germany's daily deaths set new record

The following are the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in European countries, reported Xinhua.

LONDON

Another 744 people have died within 28 days of a positive test, marking the highest daily increase of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain since the end of April, according to official figures released Wednesday.

The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 69,051, the data showed.

Another 39,237 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the highest daily increase since the start of the pandemic in the country, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the UK to 2,149,551, the data showed.

The figures were revealed as British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced Wednesday at a virtual press conference here that more areas of the East and South East of England will be put into Tier Four restrictions, the highest level.

BERLIN

Germany counted 962 deaths related to COVID-19 within one day, setting a new record and bringing the official death toll to 27,968, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Wednesday.

COVID-19 infections in the country increased by 24,740 on Wednesday, pushing the total to 1.55 million cases, according to the federal government agency for disease control and prevention.

Minister of Health Jens Spahn warned that high death figures already led to a "high load" in German hospitals.

"We are now deciding over Christmas how the situation will continue in the intensive care units afterward," Spahn told the German broadcaster ARD.

PARIS

France reported another 14,929 coronavirus cases and 276 more deaths in the past 24 hours, according to data released on Wednesday by the Health Ministry.

A total of 24,884 coronavirus patients remained hospitalized, down by 80 compared to the previous day, while 2,710 patients were in intensive care, down by 18.

The country now has a total of 2,505, 875 cases, with 61,978 deaths.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Olivier Veran ruled out a third confinement after the Christmas holidays. He, however, admitted that there are currently "too many daily cases" and urged the French to stay vigilant.

DUBLIN

A spokesman of Irish agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that the minister has tested positive for COVID-19, reported the Irish national radio and television broadcaster RTE on Wednesday.

The report quoted the spokesman as saying that a COVID-19 test received by the minister on Tuesday returned positive on Wednesday and the minister is self-isolating at home and has shown no symptoms.

"A member of Cabinet has tested positive for COVID-19. In line with public health advice, all Ministers are restricting their movements while awaiting a COVID test and result," read a statement issued earlier in the day by the Irish Government Press Office, without revealing the identity of the cabinet member.