독일 보건장관도 확진... 유럽 코로나감염 사태 악화

Europe continues to see a record number of COVID-19 infection cases on a daily basis,... as a number of countries, including Italy and France, impose further measures in a bid to stem the virus.
In Germany,... the nation's Health Minister has also tested positive.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
There's no slowing down in Europe,... where a number of countries continue to see record high daily COVID-19 numbers.
This includes the U.K.,... where 26-thousand-688 people tested positive during the past 24 hours,... breaking their previous record reported earlier this month.
With latest government figures showing nearly 6-thousand patients in hospitals in the U.K.,... the resurgence is taking toll on the NHS.
While data from Johns Hopkins University indicates over 44-thousand deaths so far,... separate figures published by the U.K.'s statistics agencies show there have been 59-thousand deaths registered,... where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Italy continues to battle new daily highs as well.
The country reported 15-thousand-199 new cases over the past 24 hours.
That's the highest daily tally since the start of the outbreak,... and up from the previous record of 11-thousand-705 posted on Sunday.
Italy also reported 127 deaths,... the first time the country has reported triple digit casualties in five months.
Despite the record high numbers,... the country is reporting far fewer deaths compared to March and April,... when it reported more than 900.
Many regions around the country are now re-imposing strict measures,... including curfews,... to shut down late night gatherings where the virus might easily spread.
In France,... the French Council of Ministers announced on Wednesday,... a plan to extend the nationwide state of emergency until February 2021.
In a rare move,... the National Assembly will meet over the weekend to discuss the bill,... as it must be passed into law if it's to be extended longer than a month.
The bill will give the French government more power to impose stricter measures,... such as curfews and local confinements.
In Germany,... the nation's health ministry announced on Wednesday that Health Minister Jens Spahn has tested positive for COVID-19.
The ministry added the 40-year-old has gone into isolation.
No members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet will be in self-isolation,... despite having met with Spahn on Wednesday.
Germany has so far reported almost 400-thousand cases.
It also reported record high numbers over the past week.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.