Italy, Spain to gradually return to normal after virus

By Baris Seckin and Senhan Bolelli

ROME/MADRID (AA) - The worst-hit countries in Europe by the novel coronavirus, Italy and Spain, are planning to return to normal life gradually as the daily death toll and confirmed new cases wind down.

After more than a month fighting COVID-19, the two Mediterranean countries managed to bring the infection and death rates under control and are working with each other and the EU to mend their economies and societies.

Some 35% of total COVID-19-related deaths around the world were reported from Italy and Spain. Experts say this was the result of belated measures against the outbreak, shortages of testing kits, aging populations and both countries' social cultures.

- Coronavirus in Italy and Spain

The death toll in Italy from the coronavirus has reached 21,067 -- the highest in Europe -- according to the latest figures. Some 168,488 people have contracted the virus, including recoveries and deaths, so far.

In Italy, the highest daily loss of life was recorded on March 27, with 969 deaths in 24 hours, while the most cases were confirmed on March 21, with 4,821 new cases.

The rate of deaths has decreased in Italy to between 431 and 681 a day -- down from over 700 -- in the last 11 days.

In Italy, which is behind Spain in terms of recovered patients, 37,130 people have overcome the virus.

Among healthcare personnel, 116 doctors, 28 nurses and eight pharmacists have died after fighting the pandemic on the front lines.

- Spain reports most recovered after China

Spain reported its highest death toll in 24 hours on April 2, when 950 people lost their lives.

The daily toll has since decreased to 757-510 over the last 10 days.

Authorities have confirmed 523 more deaths on Tuesday, bringing the total number of official fatalities up to 18,579.

Though Spain has enforced a lockdown since March 14, the number of new contagions remains significant. Over the last 24 hours, the country has confirmed nearly 5,000 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 177,633.

In all, 70,853 people have recovered from the disease, the highest after China.

- Economic fallout

The economic situations in Italy and Spain were recently evaluated in an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report on Tuesday.

According to the IMF, Italy will pay the heaviest price in Europe and is expected to contract by 9.1% -- more than the rest of the eurozone.

The IMF also predicted that Spain's GDP would fall by 8% in 2020, with unemployment to jump to 20.8%.

The country has not seen this level of economic damage since its civil war in 1936, when the economy shrunk by 23.5%, according to Spanish daily El País.

- Social order and education

Spain and Italy have been under lockdown and people are prohibited from venturing outdoors unless for grocery shopping, walking their dogs and going to work.

Formal education was also interrupted, though students receive reduced hours of online lessons.

Spanish Education Minister Isabel Celaa said schools were planned to open in May or June.

Some Spanish education groups sent a letter to Celaa asking that schools remain open throughout the summer to complete the school year if health conditions related to COVID-19 improved.

Italy closed schools on March 4, with health officials saying the closure could extend to September.

- Worldwide situation

After originating in China last December, COVID19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has spread to at least 185 countries and regions across the world. Europe and the U.S. are currently the worst hit.

The pandemic has killed over 128,000 people, and infected nearly 2 million, while nearly 501,000 have recovered from the disease, according to figures compiled by the U.S.' Johns Hopkins University.

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak