Covid France: Alert level hit in 37 departments, measures reimposed
Rules on mask-wearing outdoors and early closure for bars and restaurants brought back in the worst-affected areas, as the health minister warns of a new wave
Masks are once again required outside in some areas in France as the Delta variant continues to spread
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Local measures against Covid-19 have been introduced in badly affected parts of France, with the health minister saying that the 鈥渆pidemic is clearly stronger now than during previous waves鈥�.
The government has warned of higher levels of the virus in the past few days, as the Delta variant continues to spread and daily cases rise.
In the last 24 hours (to July 18), there were 12,532 new cases confirmed, up from 10,949 on Saturday, July 17; and up from 4,256 on Friday, July 16.
The incidence rate (cases per 100,000 people) has risen above the minimum alert threshold of 50, in 37 departments.
Health Minister Olivier V茅ran : 鈥淭he epidemic is clearly stronger now than during previous waves.鈥�
In a tweet, he wrote: "Vaccination saves lives, and is the way to end Covid-19."
La vaccination sauve des vies et sera le moyen d'en finir avec le . En France, dans 30 gros h么pitaux, 100 % des patients r茅cemment admis en r茅animation ne sont pas vaccin茅s et 93% de ceux admis en m茅decine ne sont pas vaccin茅s.
鈥� Olivier V茅ran (@olivierveran)
Figures published on Sunday, July 18 show a slight rise in hospitalisations. The most recent figures for July 18 show that there were 6,936 patients in hospital due to Covid-19 鈥� a rise of 14 since Saturday, July 17, but 247 fewer than last week.
There were nine new admissions to intensive care over the 24 hours to Sunday; and five new hospital deaths. This is in comparison to 16 deaths the Saturday before (July 9), and four the Sunday before (July 11).
鈥楽tratospheric increase鈥�
Government spokesperson Gabriel Attal has warned that "the Delta variant is a game-changer because it is incredibly more contagious, more aggressive than the original strain of the virus".
In an interview that for the past few days, France has seen "a stratospheric increase in incidence". The incidence is the number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
He said: 鈥淲e have to be clear. Now, the options are either general vaccination or a viral tsunami. There is no alternative.鈥�
He has said that the current situation is at a level 鈥渘ot seen since the beginning of the crisis鈥�.
Measures reimposed
Several regions have imposed new measures in a bid to control the spread.
Masks are now once again mandatory outside in parts of some regions including Hauts-de-France, Normandy, and Occitanie.
In tourist areas in Pyr茅n茅es-Orientales, the prefect has announced that bars, restaurants and beach bars must close at 23:00 until August 2. People must also wear a mask outside in public places, except when on the beach.
The incidence rate in the department has risen sharply from 41.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants on July 9, to 258.8 seven days later. This is above the highest-level alert threshold of 200.
Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, has also said that in the coastal city.
Haute-Corse is also above this level (249.1). The number is also rising in the Alpes-Maritimes (133.6), and Charente-Maritime (109).
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