France has recorded a record of almost 10,000 new coronavirus cases over a 24 hour period, marking its highest single-day count since the start of the outbreak.
The figures came just hours ahead of a key meeting on whether the country should toughen up on its Covid-19 measures.
Health authorities reported 9,843 new confirmed cases on Thursday, surpassing the previous daily record by nearly 900.
More than 30,800 people in France have so far died of coronavirus.
The number of patients in intensive care units has also been rising in recent days, raising concerns over the strain that rising infection rates could put on the health system.
Officials are set to discuss introducing new measures to curb the spread of the virus as they meet for talks on Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the meeting would give the public a clear idea of what can be expected in the coming weeks.
"We need to be as transparent and clear as possible," he said. "We need to be demanding and realistic without giving in to any kind of panic."
