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BRUSSELS, April 24-- Europe saw more encouraging signs on Friday as several countries, including the worst-affected, reported falling new COVID-19 infections and deaths. The initial wave of COVID-19 infections appears to have passed its peak in 20 European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, according to a new report published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). So far, more than 1.15 million cases and some 113,700 deaths have been reported across Europe, according to the latest data from the ECDC. MORE POSITIVE SIGNS In Italy, the pandemic has claimed 25,969 lives, out of 192,994 cumulative cases. Nevertheless, the death toll on Friday, 420, is the lowest since March 18. Total active cases stood at 106,527, down by 321 compared to the previous day, which is the fifth consecutive daily drop. Spain saw the lowest single-day death toll in over one month. With 367 new deaths Friday, the figure, lowest since March 21, also brings an end to three consecutive days of rising. The country now has a total of 219,764 cases and 22,524 deaths. In neighboring France, hospitalization data reported a "slow and steady decline." Patients in intensive care units fell by 183 to 4,870, below the country's original capacity of 5,000 beds. With 389 new deaths, the country's tally now rises to 22,245. However, the daily increase of 1.8 percent Friday is lower than Thursday's 2.4 percent and Wednesday's 2.6 percent. | 
