President Macron announces new national lockdown in France, but says schools will stay open

PARIS, France (AP) – France has announced a full nationwide lockdown for the second time this year and German officials imposed a partial four-week lockdown as governments across Europe sought to stop a fast-rising tide of coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says the European region accounted for almost half of the 2.8 million new coronavirus cases reported globally last week. The U.N. health agency said virus-related deaths were also on the rise in Europe, with about a 35% spike since the previous week, as well as hospitalizations due to COVID-19.“We are deep in the second wave,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels Wednesday. “I think that this year’s Christmas will be a different Christmas.”