FRANCE has been rocked by almost 10,000 new coronavirus cases in just 24 hours – its highest daily toll since the start of the outbreak.
Medics reported 9,843 new confirmed Covid-19 cases this evening easily beating the previous record of 8,975 set six days ago.
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The worrying news comes just a day before a crucial cabinet meeting which will look at imposing new local lockdowns to curb the spike.
President Emmanuel Macron said the summit 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.”
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.
The shocking statistics were revealed as France was warned it could be added to the UK’s quarantine list within days if cases do not begin to fall.
Downing Street has said it is keeping an eye on case numbers, testing figures and infection rates.
France has quickly become Europe’s new virus hotspot and now has the seventh-highest Covid-19 death toll in the world
After reaching a low of 4,530 on August 28, the number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 is also soaring.
The authorities today reported a rise in admissions of 93 over the last 24 hours to 5,096 – the highest total in more than a month.
That figure has now shot up for a shocking 12 days in a row, reports Reuters.
The number of patients in intensive care units stands at 615, a level unseen since the end of June.
Hospital figures are still very far from peaks reached in April but create renewed strain on the system which might force authorities to take action.
France’s decision to put the country under one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns between March 17 and May 11 was sparked by the need to stop the hospital system becoming overwhelmed.
Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said nothing would be ruled out at Friday’s cabinet meeting.
The number of people in France who have died from COVID-19 infections increased by 19, to 30,813.
Thursday’s figure is lower than the 30+ figure reported in the previous two days but still above the seven-day moving average of 15.
