Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National

French PM to extend Covid restrictions with situation 'especially alarming'

French Prime Minister Jean Castex, wearing a protective face mask, at the National Assembly in Paris. REUTERS - CHARLES PLATIAU

France recorded 26,676 case of coronavirus infection in the past 24 hours, up on the previous day's total of slightly more than 20,000.

Admissions to intensive care are also on the rise, with 284 new emergency cases bringing the national total to 2,239. France has an intensive care capacity of 5,800 beds.

Wednesday's 166 deaths brought the French death toll from the epidemic to 34,048.

Major regional variations

The average national picture conceals several major regional variations.

The number of new cases per 100,000 tests carried out over the past seven days has risen sharply in the cities of Clermont-Ferrand, Tours and Nantes. In the eastern city of Strasbourg, the rate of new cases is doubling every week.

None of these cities was concerned by the first curfew regulations.

Media commentators suggest that the fact that Thursday's press briefing has been convened by the prime minister, rather than Health Minister, Olivier Véran, is an indication that the government is facing a "deep crisis".

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.