Europe became the first region worldwide to SLOTXO cross 50 million coronavirus cases on Monday (Jul 19), according to a Reuters tally, as the more contagious Delta variant spurred a record surge in daily new infections.
The region is seeing a million new infections about every eight days and has reported nearly 1.3 million deaths since the pandemic began.
The Delta variant, which is significantly more contagious than the original version of COVID-19, has been detected in about 100 countries and is now the dominant variant worldwide.
European markets faced a jolt on Monday as shares sank more than 2 per cent, their worst session in nine months, on worries that the fast-spreading Delta variant could slow the global economic recovery.
"Investors are extremely worried that ... another lockdown could be a month or two round the corner," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. "COVID is spreading fast again and the airlines, restaurants and leisure companies may not get the strong summer trading they've long hoped for."