With French President Emmanuel Macron set to address the nation tonight, COVID-19 deaths in France have surpassed 14,000. While the EU recommends extending restrictions for the elderly through year's end, several nations gear up for cautious deconfinement.
France's latest COVID-19 figures show 133,670 confirmed cases and 14,393 deaths, per official reports. France 24 notes 561 new deaths in the past 24 hours, including 310 in hospitals. As of April 12, 2020 evening, 31,826 patients were hospitalized, with 6,845 in intensive care. Remission cases stand at 27,186. Notably, intensive care admissions have declined for the fourth straight day (-35 patients).
President Macron's April 13 address is expected to confirm lockdown extension at least to mid-May, following the March 17 start. Recent developments suggest deconfinement remains premature.
The United States has become the hardest-hit nation, with over 555,000 confirmed cases and around 22,000 deaths. On April 12, 2020, authorities reported 1,514 new deaths—a figure declining for two days.
As reported by Le Monde, U.S. judicial authorities classify the coronavirus as a potential biological weapon agent. The Justice Department now directs police to treat deliberate COVID-19 spread as terrorism-level offenses.
EU countries report a gradual easing of hospital pressures, signaling lockdown effectiveness. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advises the elderly to minimize contacts through year's end, hinting at age-based restrictions.
Several nations plan to lift measures: Spain allows partial work resumption from April 13, requiring masks on public transport. Austria reopens small shops April 14, all retail May 1, and schools/restaurants/hotels May 15. Denmark restarts crèches, nurseries, and primaries April 15; secondaries May 10. Norway follows with crèches April 20 and partial higher education April 27. Switzerland unveils its plan April 16.
Spain (166,831 cases, 17,209 deaths) and Italy (156,363 cases, 19,899 deaths) show stabilization. The UK exceeds 10,000 deaths (85,000 cases), while Germany's response yields 127,854 cases and 3,022 deaths.
Turkey raises alarms (56,956 cases, 1,198 deaths); Iran stabilizes (71,866 cases, 4,474 deaths); Brazil worsens (22,318 cases, 1,230 deaths). Worldwide: 1.85 million cases, over 114,000 deaths.
