Coronavirus: COVID-19 hospitalizations hit near 9-week high in France
The number of COVID-19 patients in French hospitals hit a near nine-week high on Sunday, as the country shut its borders to all but essential travel to and from nearly all countries outside the European Union.
There are 27,613 COVID-19 sufferers being treated in hospitals in France, up 331 on the previous day and hitting a level last seen on Dec. 1.
For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday did not impose a third national lockdown and instead tightened COVID-19 border controls, shutting down large shopping malls and stepping up the policing of a nightly curfew.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Health Minister Olivier Veran told the Journal du Dimanche that France could still avert a third wave without another full confinement. But he said the variants first detected in Britain and South Africa were dangerous and the government would swiftly impose another lockdown if infections spiked.
Health authorities reported 19,235 new COVID-19 cases, compared with 18,436 last Sunday. The number of patients infected with the coronavirus in intensive care increased by 45 to 3,158, they said.
Read more:
Coronavirus: France’s coronavirus cases surge by almost 20,000 in 24 hours
Coronavirus: French minister defends slow start to COVID-19 vaccination campaign
-
France closing borders to non-EU countries after spread of COVID-19 variant: PM
French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Friday said the country would close its borders to non-European Union countries for everything except essential ... Coronavirus -
France’s new COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU treatments rise sharply
The number of people hospitalized in France for COVID-19 rose by more than a 1,000 over the last two days, a trend unseen since Nov 16, and the number ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: France imposes border controls in scramble to avoid lockdown
New border controls went into force in France on Sunday as part of a massive effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and avoid another nationwide ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: France’s top health body recommends 6-week gap between vaccine doses
France’s top health advisory body on Saturday recommended doubling the time between people being given the first and second COVID-19 vaccinations to ... Coronavirus