France hits 10,000 new coronavirus cases in its highest EVER daily spike as PM warns outbreak is ‘clearly worsening’
FRANCE has recorded more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases in its highest ever daily spike, the latest figures show.
On Saturday health authorities said there were 10,561 new cases, rising by more than 1,000 from Friday's figures.
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The number of people admitted to hospital and intensive care is also increasing.
Data showed 17 new coronavirus-related deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex warned the country was seeing a "clear worsening" of the coronavirus pandemic.
He promised steps to speed up tests and toughen local measures in high-infection zones.
INCREASED TESTING
It is believed more cases are being recorded as a result of increased testing.
The PM also ruled out a nationwide lockdown, despite the number of infections shows no signs of slowing down.
He said: "We have to succeed in living with this virus, without returning to the idea of a generalised lockdown.
"Our strategy is not changing. We must fight the virus without putting on hold our social, cultural and economic life, the education of our children and our ability to live normally."
France's President Emmanuel Macron said: "We need to be as transparent and clear as possible.
"We need to be demanding and realistic without giving in to any kind of panic."
Since the beginning of the month, new cases have soared by an average of 7,292 a day.
That figure blows away the previous record daily average of 3,003 recorded throughout August.
Infections have risen for all age groups, but officials say the increase is particularly significant among young adults.
A group of doctors have urged people to avoid private gatherings amid the fresh outbreak.
"After the joy of reuniting this summer, it's time to be careful in the private world," the doctors said in a column published in Le Journal du Dimanche on Sunday.
"The smaller a room, the more people it contains, the less airy it is, the more you increase the risks."
France has quickly become Europe's new virus hotspot and now has one of the highest Covid-19 death tolls in the world.
Officials have now designated 42 regions as "red zones", where stricter mask requirements and gathering restrictions are in force due to a rising number of infections.
This includes Paris, Lyon, and almost the entire Mediterranean coastline.
The number of people in France who have died from COVID-19 infections increased by 17, to 30,910.
Several other European countries, including the Czech Republic, are tackling fresh outbreaks of Covid-19.
Spain also recorded its highest ever daily increase on Thursday, reporting 10,764 new infections
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