WHO warns of 'alarming rates of transmission' across Europe

The World Health Organization warned on Thursday of "alarming rates of transmission" of COVID-19 across Europe, calling on countries not to shorten quarantine periods.

"Weekly cases have now exceeded those reported when the pandemic first peaked in Europe in March," WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge said during a press conference, warning of a very serious situation unfolding in the region. 

"Last week, the region's weekly tally exceeded 300,000 patients," he told reporters.  

The organization also said it would not change its guidance calling for a 14-day quarantine period for anyone exposed to the novel coronavirus. 

Here is the latest situation in the continent: 

In the UK, a total of 18,371 people tested positive for coronavirus in the latest weekly data from the government's test and trace service, an increase of 167 percent compared to the end of August.

Confirmed infections are now double the number recorded when the test and trace service was launched in May.

The British government has announced new restrictions for northeast England, the latest region to see a surge in coronavirus cases, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of a "second hump" in nationwide transmission.

Residents in the northeast, which includes the cities of Newcastle and Sunderland, will no longer be allowed to socialize outside their own homes or support bubble from Friday onward. 

Food and drink venues will be restricted to table service only, while pubs and bars must close by 10 p.m. (2100 GMT) under the new measures announced in parliament by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

In Germany, 2,194 new COVID-19 cases were reported, the highest figure since April, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said on Thursday.

The German federal government on September 9 extended its travel warning for more than 160 non-European Union countries due to COVID-19 until the end of September. 

(With input from agencies)