Employees carry out a disinfection of a train of the Basque railway company Euskotren in the Spanish Basque city of Irun on May 7, 2020, amid a national lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. (ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)

LONDON / WASHINGTON / CAIRO / LIMA / MOSCOW - Spain reported 1,095 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, the biggest increase in nearly a week, as the country goes through the first phase of a plan to relax its lockdown after eight weeks of confinement.

The total number of cases, adjusted to include changes in data for the Madrid region, rose to 222,857, according to Health Ministry data. Fatalities rose by 229 to 26,299. That compares with an increase of 213 on Thursday.

The government on Friday is set to approve a new extension of the national state of emergency through May 23, after parliament authorized it on Wednesday. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said that enhanced powers are needed to coordinate the country’s health services -- under normal circumstances 17 regional governments run health care separately.

The country may be facing a patchy return to what Sanchez has dubbed the “new normal,” as regions still must individually seek authorization for their provinces to move to the next phase in gradually easing confinement measures.

While regions such as the Balearic and Canary Islands reported fewer than 10 new daily infections in recent days and are pushing to relax restrictions in time to start the summer tourist season, Madrid and Catalonia, the country’s economic heartland, are still grappling with hundreds of new cases a day.

Residents participate in a national "clap for carers" to show thanks for the work of Britain's NHS workers and other frontline medical staff, in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire on May 7, 2020. (ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP

UK

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a very limited easing of Britain’s coronavirus lockdown next week, adopting a cautious approach to try to ensure there is no second peak of infections that could further hurt the economy.

Johnson is due to announce the next steps in Britain’s battle to tackle the novel coronavirus on Sunday following a review by ministers of the current measures that have all but shut the economy and kept millions at home for over six weeks.

The government has been criticised for moving too slowly to tackle the outbreak which has led to more than 30,000 deaths in Britain - the worst official death toll in Europe.

Meanwhile, Britons joined in a weekly nationwide round of applause on Thursday to pay tribute to care workers and hospital staff for the last time before lockdown measures are slightly eased.

READ MORE: Focus on UK toll; Italians see more progress

France

France would start to ease restrictions from May 11 through "a very gradual process," which would stretch over several weeks at least to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Thursday, adding that the exit would be differentiated among regions.

Next week, about 1 million children and 130,000 teachers will return to school. Some 400,000 companies will resume business. Libraries and small museums may reopen while access to beaches could be allowed at the request of mayors.

Under the new rules, France maintains restrictions on public gatherings of over 10 people and keeps borders closed until further notice. Mask-wearing will be mandatory on public transport.

Seperately, the first suspected cases of COVID-19 infection in France could date back to Nov. 16 last year, some nine weeks earlier than the official record of the country's first confirmed cases, a hospital in eastern France said Thursday.

France on Thursday registered 178 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, taking the tally to 25,987, while new hospital admissions continued to slow as the government plans to ease anti-coronavirus lockdown on May 11, according to its Health Ministry.

The number of confirmed infection cases stood at 137,779 after a one-day increase of 629, the data showed. 

Italy

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed 274 more lives in Italy in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide toll to 29,958, according to the latest data released by the country's Civil Protection Department on Thursday.

There were 1,401 new infections over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections, fatalities and recoveries to 215,858 since the pandemic began in Italy on Feb 21.

Of those infected, 1,311 are in intensive care (down by 22 patients compared to Wednesday) and 15,174 are hospitalized with symptoms (down by 595 patients).

The number of active cases decreased by 1,904 compared to Wednesday, taking the nationwide total to 89,624, down from 91,528 a day earlier. There were also 3,031 new recoveries, bringing that total to 96,276.

Italy’s government and Roman Catholic bishops signed an agreement on Thursday to allow the faithful to attend Masses again from later this month, ending a standoff between the Church and state over the coronavirus lockdown.

Germany

New infections with COVID-19 in Germany remained under peak times as the number of cases increased by 1,209 within one day to 167,300, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Friday.

This week, between 680 and 1,300 new daily cases were reported to the RKI. At the height of the pandemic in Germany, more than 6,000 new infections were recorded by RKI in a single day.

Germany had entered "a new phase of the pandemic," RKI Vice President Lars Schaade said on Thursday.

The "new phase" will not be safe, Schaade warned, adding that "It is up to us whether there will be a second wave."

According to the RKI, the death toll from the coronavirus in Germany increased by 147 to 7,266 on Friday, resulting in a fatality rate of COVID-19 cases of 4.3 percent.

The estimated number of people in Germany who had already recovered from COVID-19 increased by around 1,800 within one day to 141,700 on Friday, according to the RKI.

Russia

Russia has tallied 10,699 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, raising its total number of infections to 187,859, its coronavirus response center said in a statement Friday.

A self-isolation regime in Moscow introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus has been extended until May 31, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Thursday.

"Temporary restrictions on the functioning of trade, public catering, services, culture, education, sports and other non-productive industries, as well as the regime of self-isolation of citizens, will be extended until May 31," Sobyanin said in a statement on his website.

ALSO READ: France set to join Germany in easing curbs to relieve virus pain

Danmark

Denmark will open much of its economy on Monday, after judging that the threat posed by COVID-19 is no longer serious enough to warrant keeping businesses shuttered.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her government’s decision to impose restrictions early on played a key role in allowing the country to now start returning to normal.

Denmark’s entire retail sector will be allowed to resume normal business on May 11, with cafes, restaurants and schools for older children set to open the following week. 

Danish museums, amusement parks and cinemas will be allowed to reopen from June 8, whereupon the maximum number allowed in public gatherings will be increased to 50, up from a 10-person limit, it said.

Danish shopping malls, schools for the oldest students and restaurants will be allowed to reopen in the coming weeks, said the government late on Thursday as it enters the second phase of reopening after curbing the spread of the virus.

A resident walks in front of a World War II historical movie set in the Montmartre district, as the shooting was interrupted with a nationwide confinement to counter the COVID-19, in Paris, May 7, 2020. (PHOTO / AP)

Sweden

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven wants a special commission to review the country's strategy for dealing with the coronavirus outbreak -- but only when the crisis is over, local media reported on Thursday.

The prime minister said that the future commission's tasks and remit have not yet been set, but that one of the main goals will be to summarize the course of events during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as what decisions were made by authorities and politicians, and how well suited Sweden's form of governance is during a situation like the current crisis.

The announcement came as Sweden's COVID-19 death toll rose to 3,040, an increase of 99 reported deaths since Wednesday. The total number of confirmed cases is now 24,623, with a total of 1,645 treated in intensive care units. 

Greece

Greece is gradually returning to normalcy. After the national lockdown was eased earlier this week, more shops, restaurants, open-air cinemas and museums are scheduled to open in May and June, Greek Culture and Sports Minister Lina Mendoni said Thursday.

Greece has so far received donations worth more than 89 million euros (US$96.4 million) in the battle against COVID-19, Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced on Thursday, expressing gratitude to countries, including China, as well as organizations, enterprises and individuals for the critical aid.

Portugal

In a move aimed at ensuring people had a roof over their heads for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak, Portugal’s government on Thursday extended a measure stating contracts could not expire or be cancelled to the end of September.

The measure, in place since mid-March and originally due to expire next month, prevents landlords from terminating lease agreements if the tenant does not agree to it and from kicking out renters even if their contracts are due to run out before Sept. 30.

US

US President Donald Trump is doing well and is very healthy, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News on Thursday, after a US military official who worked at the White House was found to have been infected with the novel coronavirus.

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have tested negative for the virus, the White House said earlier on Thursday. CNN identified the official as Trump’s personal valet.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pushing for a nationwide economic reopening despite concerns voiced by public health experts and local officials. 

Titled "Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a step-by-step advice on how and when to reopen public places during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an AP report.

US infections rose 2.4% from the day before to 1.25 million, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg News. That was above Wednesday’s growth rate of 1.9% and matched the average daily increase of 2.4% over the past week. Deaths rose 3.9% to 75,054.

New data showed that more than 33 million Americans have filed for jobless claims as COVID-19 continues to ravage economy, indicating the scope of damage to the labor market, while suggesting the historic wave of layoffs seems to be receding.

California Governor Gavin Newsom released guidelines Thursday for reopening businesses starting Friday in the most populous US state as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday said the state’s factories can reopen on May 11, removing one of the last major obstacles to North American automakers bringing thousands of laid-off employees back to work amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cyprus 

Cypriot Council of Ministers on Thursday approved additional measures to revive the economy after the lifting of the coronavirus lockdown, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said.

The minister told a press conference after a cabinet meeting that the package was designed to inject in the cash-starved economy 6 billion euros, or almost one third of the eastern Mediterranean island's pre-crisis gross domestic product (GDP).

The new package is on top of two previous packages of cash assistance to 180,000 workers and 60,000 businesses, amounting to 5.7 percent of the GDP, to keep them alive through the lockdown.

Cananda

Greyhound Canada announced on Thursday that it will suspend all of its remaining bus routes service in Eastern Canada starting May 13 because of the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused ticket sales for company's routes in the eastern part of the country to plummet by 95 percent. The company halted its service in Western Canada in 2018.

Latvia 

Latvia on Thursday extended a nationwide state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic until June 9 while easing restrictions partially, local media reported.

The government increased the number of people allowed for a public gathering from two to 25, provided that a protocol of a two-meter distance between individuals is followed.

To date, Latvia has recorded 909 confirmed cases and 18 fatalities. 

Albania

Over 90 percent of lockdown measures imposed by the Albanian government to prevent the spread of coronavirus will be eased by May 18, Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Thursday.

Rama held an online meeting with the Technical Committee of Experts to discuss the situation the country is going through due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he was briefed on the latest developments in the country.

Health authorities reported 10 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, raising the total number of confirmed cases in Albania to 842, with 605 recoveries and 31 fatalities.  

A worker rests in an overturned wheelbarrow alongside a row of niches at El Angel Cemetery, before a burial ceremony for COVID-19 victims, in Lima, Peru, May 7, 2020. (PHOTO / AP)

Latin America 

The total confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Latin America surpassed 300,000 on Thursday as governments across the region continued to enforce measures to stop the virus' spreading while also contemplating reopening their economies.

Brazil

Brazil's Health Ministry on Thursday registered 9,888 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and 610 related deaths in the past 24 hours, according to a ministry website. 

That brought the ministry's total to 135,106 confirmed cases in Brazil, with 9,146 deaths from the COVID-19 respiratory disease – the most deadly outbreak in an emerging market nation.

Mexico

Mexico's health ministry on Thursday reported 1,982 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 257 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 29,616 cases and 2,961 deaths. The government has said the real number of infected people is significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

Mexico has transformed the luxurious former presidential “Los Pinos” complex, which was for many decades the country’s most prestigious residence, into a temporary home for healthcare workers battling the coronavirus outbreak.

About 58 doctors and nurses are already staying in Los Pinos but officials say up to 100 people could be accommodated in the complex that acted as a home for successive Mexican leaders and their families since 1934.

Peru

Peruvian Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Jorge Montenegro has tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the ministry reported on Thursday.

"Yesterday, May 6, 2020, the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Jorge Montenegro, received a positive result for the test that was carried out for COVID-19," the ministry said in a statement.

The Peruvian Ministry of Health on Thursday raised the number of confirmed cases in the country by 3,628 to 58,526, and the death toll by 89 to 1,627.

Chile

In Chile, the number of confirmed cases increased by 1,533 to 24,581, while the death toll rose by four to 285, according to the Ministry of Health.

Colombia

The Colombian Ministry of Health reported on Thursday that the country's confirmed cases rose to 9,456, with 407 deaths in total.

The ministry said the capital Bogota, one of the country's most-affected areas, has acquired two robots that will accelerate the processing rate for rapid COVID-19 tests.

The Colombian government has also extended the economic emergency in order to continue mitigating the effects of the pandemic.

Ecuador 

The nationwide tally in Ecuador topped 30,000 on Thursday, with a total of 2,461 new cases and 49 more deaths.
On May 4, Ecuador began to gradually reactivate the production sector, though the government has extended the state of emergency to mid-June.

READ MORE: Virus exposes gaping holes in Africa’s health systems

A barbershop has gone out of business and the space is for lease in the Pennywise Shopping Center, May 7, 2020, in Wethersfield, Conn. (PHOTO / AP)

Africa 

The African continent is on the spot as COVID-19 cases surpass 50,000. According to the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, caseload across Africa has reached 51,698 as of Thursday morning.

The WHO on Thursday said that between 83,000 to 190,000 people in Africa could die of COVID-19 while an additional 29 million to 44 million are likely to contract the disease if containment measures fail to work.

"While COVID-19 likely won't spread exponentially in Africa as it has done elsewhere in the world, it likely will smolder transmission hotspots," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa.

South Africa

South Africa on Thursday confirmed 424 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 8,232.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the pandemic has risen to 161 in the country, up eight from Wednesday's figure, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday some low-risk prisoners would be granted parole to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in correctional facilities.

Around 19,000 people would be freed by the move, taken in response to a UN call on all countries to reduce prison populations so that social distancing and self-isolation conditions could be observed, Ramaphosa said.

Egypt

Egypt on Thursday reported 393 new COVID-19 cases, as the tally of coronavirus infections in the country approached 8,000.

The number of confirmed cases in Egypt climbed to 7,981, while the death toll rose to 482 after 13 more fatalities were recorded, Khaled Megahed, spokesman for Egyptian Health Ministry, said in a statement.

Morocco

Morocco The Moroccan Health Ministry on Thursday announced 140 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 5,548.

Meanwhile, 183 people have died from the novel coronavirus while 2,179 have recovered after 162 recoveries were added, said Mohamed El Youbi, director of epidemiology at the ministry, at his daily briefing.

The official underlined the stability of the coronavirus mortality rate in Morocco, which stands at 3.3 percent, adding that the recovery rate rose to 39.3 percent.

Sudan

Sudan's confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 78 to 930 on Thursday, the Health Ministry announced.

"Three new death cases have been recorded, taking the death toll from the novel coronavirus to 52," the ministry said in a statement.

It added that 12 more patients recovered, bringing the total recoveries nationwide to 92.

South Sudan 

South Sudan Ministry of Health on Thursday confirmed 16 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 90.

Richard Lako, director-general for planning, budget and research in the ministry of health who is also a member of technical secretariat for a high-level task force on COVID-19, said the latest cases are from 162 samples which were tested in the last 24 hours.

Tunisia

Tunisia allowed a Turkish plane to land at its southern airport of Zarzis to deliver medical aid to Libyans at the Ras Jedir border crossing, the presidency said on Friday.

Senegal

Senegal's Ministry of Health and Social Action on Friday reported 59 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the confirmed total to 1,551 in the country.

A total of 872 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, and 59 turned positive, including 52 follow-up contact cases and seven community-transmission cases, Director-General of Public Health Marie Khemesse Ngom Ndiaye told a daily briefing on the pandemic.

Uganda

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has urged people to wear face masks in public places all the time as the East African country strives to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In a video clip issued by State House on Friday, Museveni said it seems that some people do not understand the value of a face mask, thinking it merely as decoration.

Nigeria

Nigeria has recorded 381 new cases of the coronavirus, the highest number of cases recorded in a single day in the country, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 3,526, the disease control center has said.

In an update released late Thursday, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control(NCDC) said four new deaths were recorded, bringing the total number of deaths from COVID-19 to 107.

The new cases were recorded in 18 states, with the epicenter Lagos and the populous northern state of Kano being the top two in new cases, reporting 183 and 55 cases respectively, according to the center. Lagos currently has 1,491 cases, Kano has 482 case, and the Federal Capital Territory has 316 cases.

Nigeria currently has 2,818 active cases of COVID-19 while 601 people have been discharged.

Ukraine 

A total of 14,195 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 361 deaths were reported in Ukraine on Friday, while 2,706 patients have recovered, the country's Health Ministry said.

All together, 504 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and a record number of 310 patients have recovered in the past 24 hours in Ukraine. As of Friday, 977 children and 2,758 health workers have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

A total of 4,430 coronavirus patients have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic, including 487 health workers. Among them, 185 people were on ventilators.

Slovenia

Slovenia's COVID-19 death toll has risen to 100 after one more patient died on Thursday, according to the latest government data released on Friday. 

The country so far has 1,450 confirmed cases, after one more infection was officially reported.

This is the second day in a row that only one new infection was detected out of more than 1,000 daily tests. On Thursday, 1,049 tests were carried out, slightly fewer than the day before.

Zambia 

Zambia on Friday reported 14 new COVID-19 cases following tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

The country recorded the cases from 683 tests conducted, bringing the cumulative figure to 167. Eight patients were discharged from the isolation centers after recovering.

President Edgar Lungu said among the new cases include six truck drivers and two health workers.

The country has so far registered four deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic on March 18.