COVID-19 cases soaring in Europe, as India becomes second country to hit 7 million cases. (Photo: AFP)

London, October 13 (RHC)-- A number of European countries, including Britain, France, Spain and Italy, are enacting or considering strict new restrictions and lockdowns as COVID-19 cases soar across much of the continent. 

On Monday, Russia reported nearly 14,000 new cases — Russia’s highest daily total since the start of the pandemic.

This comes as the death toll in Brazil has topped 150,000, the world’s second-highest total after the United States.  Meanwhile, India has become just the second nation after the U.S. to record over 7 million infections.

In China, a small outbreak has been uncovered in the port city of Qingdao with 12 confirmed local infections. Authorities are responding with plans to test 9 million people in the city.