A senior French scientist warned that the second wave of the spread of the Corona virus will be faster than the first, amid an increasing escalation in the number of infections across Europe.

"The virus is spreading more quickly ... and indications of this started in August," according to Sky News, the French government's scientific advisor, Arnaud Fontane, told BFM television.

He said that France managed to control the virus by the end of June, but the decrease in the number of people being hospitalized as a result of the epidemic until the end of last August gave the authorities a false sense of the virus receding, despite the already high cases at the time.

The epidemiologist added: "Then there was one cold week in September, and all indicators went in the wrong direction again across Europe. The virus spreads better in the cold because we stay longer in our homes and in closed places."

He continued: "We have many tools to protect ourselves from the virus, but we are facing a difficult period," echoing what French Prime Minister Jean Castex, who warned of "difficult November", as the French government extended the curfew imposed last week in several cities.

The curfew will take effect in some cities, from 9 pm to 6 am, and will affect 46 million people, nearly two-thirds of the country's population of 67 million.

"The second wave of the Corona epidemic has already started and is still ongoing now in France and Europe. The situation is very dangerous," Castex said at a press conference.

Last Thursday, France recorded a record number of infections in Korna within one day, as the number of injured reached 41,622 people.

The total number of infections in France now stands at more than a million, and more than 34,000 people have died from the pandemic.

Countries across Europe, such as the United Kingdom, have reverted to restrictive precautionary measures, after the number of cases rose.

Belgium, one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, tightened restrictions on gatherings on Friday, banning fans from sports matches, limiting the number of people in cultural venues and closing theme parks.

Although infection rates in Germany were much lower than other hotspots in Europe, cases accelerated and reached a record high on Thursday, with 11,247 cases.

And across Europe, 20 countries set new records on Wednesday, including the United Kingdom, which saw a rise of 26,688 injuries.

The Czech Republic, which is experiencing the largest increase in Europe in COVID-19 cases, has ordered most stores and services to close to curb the spread of the virus.

The Netherlands has also returned to a partial lockdown, closing bars and restaurants, but keeping schools open.

Spain became the first country in Western Europe this week to record 1 million cases of coronavirus.

Source: Sky News

By:Nadeemy Haded