Europe has again become the epicentre of the pandemic, recording 40 percent more cases this week than the previous seven days, according to an AFP tally.
The continent is now recording 241,000 new cases a day, against 15,000 at the start of July.
Nottingham became the latest of a swathe of cities across central and northern England to enter the highest tier of local restrictions Friday, with the 2.4 million residents of Leeds set to follow next week.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has ordered a lighter round of shutdowns from Monday, closing bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as theatres, operas and cinemas.
Czech Republic lawmakers voted to extend a state of emergency until November 20, while Iceland ordered bars and nightclubs closed and limited public gatherings to no more than 10 people.
'Existential threat'
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had no plans to introduce a sweeping lockdown, even as the country saw record tolls with reports of ambulance queues at hospitals and medical shortages.
There were however small glimmers of hope - sometimes controversial - in some countries.
In Slovakia, a government programme to screen its entire population of 5.4 million people for coronavirus with antigen tests in what would be a global first, was due to begin on Saturday.
And in Italy, pharmacists are facing a huge upsurge in demand for a niche product - of so far unproven effectiveness against Covid - usually marketed as an immune system booster for babies.
The demand for Lactoferrin comes weeks after a viral video suggested it might help protect against coronavirus.
There was also some good news for football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who tested negative for Covid-19 and will leave home isolation after receiving a positive result on October 13.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.