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More COVID measures hit Europe, cases surge

Europe's second coronavirus wave is forcing some countries to go even deeper into restrictions again, as worldwide cases crossed 40 million on Monday (October 19).

About six million people in the UK face tougher lockdowns in the coming days.

Wales is set to go into what it calls a "firebreak" lockdown from Friday until early November - where all but essential workers must stay home, and non-essential businesses must close.

A lockdown could also hit Manchester within days, although the city is still fighting the national government over the economic impact.

Ireland meanwhile, plans to bring in "decisive" nationwide COVID-19 restrictions on Monday - but will stop short of reintroducing a full lockdown.

In Belgium, all bars and restaurants are set to close for four weeks as hospitals edge towards a bed shortage.

And in Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has given mayors the power to shut public squares from 9 p.m. to halt gatherings - as he unveiled a further package of measures over the weekend to try and halt a sharp rise in cases.

He insisted the government was determined to avoid a repeat of the lockdown imposed at the start of the crisis in March.

Currently, Milan is the country's hardest hit region.

Experts believe the true numbers of both cases and deaths internationally are likely to be much higher - given deficiencies in testing and potential under-reporting by some countries.