Latest COVID-19 developments in Europe

Italy: The coronavirus pandemic has claimed 24,114 lives in locked-down Italy as total active infections fell for the first time since the pandemic broke out in the northern regions on February 21, according to the latest data released on Monday by the country's Civil Protection Department. The total number of cases, including active infections, fatalities and recoveries rose by 2,256 to 181,228.

France: France on Monday announced it had become the fourth country worldwide to register over 20,000 deaths from the novel coronavirus, after recording 547 new fatalities in the epidemic. France has 114,657 confirmed cases, but officials say the real figure is much higher due to a lack of testing. 

The UK: 449 more people tested positive for COVID-19 died in hospitals in Britain as of Sunday afternoon, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 16,509, the Department of Health and Social Care said on Monday. As of Monday morning, 124,743 people had tested positive for the virus, marking a daily increase of 4,676, said the department.

Ireland: A total of 77 COVID-19-related deaths were reported on Monday, the highest figure ever recorded in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, according to the statistics released by the Irish Department of Health. To date, there are 687 deaths, said the department in a statement on Monday night, adding that another 401 new confirmed cases were reported on the same day, bringing the total number to 15,652.

(With input from Xinhua, AFP)