Geographies in Depth

Coronavirus: Could Europe be flattening the curve? 

People enjoy the view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo during the lockdown, ahead of Italy's gradual lifting of restrictions which begins from May 4, due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Florence, Italy, May 1, 2020. REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini - RC2NFG9NL8S7

Figures suggest that Europe's worst affected countries are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Image: REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Katharina Buchholz
Data Journalist, Statista
  • Evidence is starting to suggest that European countries may be starting to flatten their curve of COVID-19 cases.
  • Strict lockdowns have meant some of the worst-affected countries, like Italy and Spain, may now be over the worst of the pandemic.
  • Evidence suggests that the UK, where the outbreak started later, does not yet show any signs of infections slowing down.

As the coronavirus spreads rapidly around the world, some European countries have begun flattening the curve of infections. According to numbers by Johns Hopkins collected by the website Worldometers, the start to a flattening is visible in Germany and France, where a total of around 160,000-166,000 cases had been recorded each.

europe france italy spain uk germany testing curve rate infection Coronavirus china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia  pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
Are European Countries Flattening the Curve? Image: Statista

In Italy where there are currently more than 200,000 cases, some progress has also been made. Spain has had the steepest curve despite also adhering to a strict lockdown. There are almost 237,000 known infections in the country.

The UK, where the outbreak started later, does not yet show any signs of infections slowing down. The same is true across the pond in the U.S., currently the country with most known infections and a curve that is still pointing upwards. Infections have passed 1 million stateside.

The countries' collective aim is to "flatten the curve" of infections. While South Korea was able to (more or less) stabilize its outbreak at around 10,000 cases - due to widespread free testing (including the now infamous drive-thru testing), quarantine measures and the harnessing of mobile technology for public information - China has stabilized theirs at around 83,000 cases. South Korea hit 100 cases on February 20 and managed to leave the steep upward trajectory around 14 days later. In the case of China, more than 100 cases were first recorded on January 20, and quarantine and testing measure succeeded in breaking the upwards trajectory by February 12 - around three and a half weeks later. Germany began leveling its curve around six weeks into the outbreak, while France started seeing results at around seven weeks.

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

Sign up for free

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

Stay up to date:

COVID-19

Related topics:
Geographies in DepthHealth and Healthcare Systems
Share:
The Big Picture
Explore and monitor how COVID-19 is affecting economies, industries and global issues
A hand holding a looking glass by a lake
Crowdsource Innovation
Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale
World Economic Forum logo
Global Agenda

The Agenda Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

Subscribe today

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our privacy policy.

Sustainable trade could be an opportunity for Indonesia. Here’s how

Kimberley Botwright

November 4, 2024

Americans are going to the polls. Here’s how the US election works

About us

Engage with us

  • Sign in
  • Partner with us
  • Become a member
  • Sign up for our press releases
  • Subscribe to our newsletters
  • Contact us

Quick links

Language editions

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Sitemap

© 2024 World Economic Forum