The non-potable water system in Paris detected the coronavirus, with 4 out of 27 sampling points containing it.

On the 19th local time, the cumulative death toll from COVID-19 in France rose to 19,718. The non-potable water system in Paris detected "trace amounts" of the coronavirus that day. The laboratory managed by the Paris municipal department found "trace amounts" of the virus in 4 out of the 27 sampling points tested, which, although "trace amounts," raised significant concern, leading the Paris city government to suspend the use of the non-potable water system.

French Prime Minister Philippe and Health Minister Véran held a joint press conference that day, where the latest epidemic data was released directly. On that day, there were 395 new deaths, bringing the cumulative death toll to 19,718, including 12,069 hospital deaths and 7,649 nursing home deaths.

Currently, there are 30,610 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in France, including 5,744 in serious condition. The number of hospitalizations and serious patients continues to decline slowly. The Director of the French Health Agency, Salomon, stated that the control measures are having an effect and urged the public not to let their guard down.

The non-potable water system in Paris detected "trace amounts" of the coronavirus that day. The laboratory managed by the Paris municipal department found "trace amounts" of the virus in 4 out of the 27 sampling points tested, leading the Paris city government to suspend the use of the non-potable water system.

The Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of ecology, Brault, explained that the traces of the virus in the non-potable water system are very small but still detectable, prompting the city government to adopt a "precautionary principle." The health department will further analyze the potential risks of these trace amounts of the virus.

Paris officials stated that the non-potable water system in Paris draws from rivers such as the Seine and is mainly used for cleaning streets and watering parks, and is not part of the drinking water system. The two systems have been separate since the 19th century; currently, no traces of the coronavirus have been detected in the drinking water system, and there are no safety issues, so the public use is "risk-free."

French Prime Minister Philippe stated at the press conference on the 19th that the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic has just begun. He emphasized that the social conditions before the implementation of control measures will not be restored immediately; only after the epidemic is under control and hospitals regain their capacity to treat patients can the consideration of "lifting the lockdown" begin. He also mentioned that after the "lifting of the lockdown," it is possible that the French public transportation system will require passengers to wear masks.

The global confirmed cases of COVID-19 have exceeded 2.4 million.

According to real-time statistics from Worldometers, as of around 5:50 AM Beijing time on April 20, the global confirmed cases of COVID-19 exceeded 2.4 million, reaching 2,400,970 cases, with 164,998 deaths.

Italy has a cumulative total of 178,972 confirmed cases, and large enterprises will gradually resume production and work.

On the 19th local time, Italy reported 3,047 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 178,972; there were 433 new deaths, with a cumulative total of 23,660 deaths.

According to Italian media reports, the Italian epidemic prevention and control decree allows large enterprises in industries that can resume work to gradually restart operations. On April 20, the largest shipbuilding company in Europe, Fincantieri Group, will resume necessary production such as hull processing, but the number of workers returning will be controlled to a minimum. For example, at its largest manufacturing base, the Monfalcone shipyard, only less than one-tenth of the 7,000 employees will return to work, and shifts will be increased to avoid crowding.

Spain has a cumulative total of 195,944 confirmed cases and may further extend the national state of emergency.

According to news from the Spanish Ministry of Health on the 19th, in the past 24 hours, the country reported 4,218 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 195,944, with 410 new deaths and a cumulative total of 20,453 deaths.

Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez announced on the evening of the 18th that the Spanish government will apply to the Congress for a further extension of the national state of emergency until May 9, but the "lockdown" measures will be appropriately relaxed. The Spanish Ministry of Labor recently stated that the Spanish government plans to restore normal social activities in two phases, with all production sectors expected to resume this summer, while tourism, leisure, and cultural sectors may not fully recover until the end of the year.

Washington recalls 12,000 coronavirus testing kits.

As various regions in the country increase their COVID-19 testing efforts, CNN reported on the 19th that Washington recalled 12,000 coronavirus testing kits due to potential contamination of the testing equipment distributed by the state's health department.

According to a press release from the Washington State Department of Health, the University of Washington Medicine informed the state health department on the 17th that a small amount of viral transport medium (VTM) showed unusual colors, indicating potential quality control issues with the recalled coronavirus testing kits. CNN reported that these testing devices may have been contaminated.

The press release also stated that the recalled testing kits had previously been sent to health departments and state agency partners across Washington State, and the relevant departments and agencies receiving these devices are encouraged to proactively contact the Washington State Department of Health to obtain a new batch of coronavirus testing equipment.