LONDON - The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 has surpassed 30 million, according to figures by America's Johns Hopkins University.

Although the worst hit nations are the US, India and Brazil, there is a renewed spike in infections across Europe. The World Health Organization’s European director has warned that the continent is facing a “very serious” situation and advised against “even a slight reduction in the length of the quarantine”.

In the United Kingdom (UK), as cases rose 75% in one week some ten million people are expected to be subject to regional lockdown rules after large parts of north-east England imposed curfews.

Hospitals and local authorities have been told to find extra beds for Covid-19 patients within two weeks as the National Health Service (NHS) braces for a second spike in Covid-19 cases.