A total of 403 people lost their lives to Covid-19 in France over the most recent 24-hour period. This figure represented the country’s highest daily death toll since Nov 24. According to France’s health authorities, these 403 additional deaths increased the number of Covid-19 deaths in the country to date to 70,686.

Over those same 24 hours, a further 3,736 people tested positive for Covid-19. After these new figures were added, the total number of cases in France to date totaled 2,914,725. This large figure ranks France sixth in the world for total number of cases. France currently ranks third in this same statistic among all European countries, only trailing Russia and the United Kingdom.

As of Monday, a total of 25,619 people are currently being treated for Covid-19 across France. Among these patients, 2,813 of them required the use of ventilators. These statistics represent increases of 350 and 37 respectively from those of the previous day. They serve as necessary information because they serve to analyze the ability of the country’s health system to manage the spread of the pandemic.

Recent Covid-19 Measures in France

To curb the spread of Covid-19 in France, the country’s government recently imposed a nationwide curfew of 6pm. This curfew is two hours earlier than the previously active one of 8pm. It runs from 6pm until 6am the next morning. In addition, since Monday, all people who arrive in France from outside the European Union have been required to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival. These people must then self-isolate for one week after the negative test is verified.

Speaking about these measures, Prime Minister Jean Castex said, “These measures were necessary given the situation. While worsening, it remains relatively better than many countries around us, but I took them because the context, notably with the evolution of the virus, means we have to have utmost vigilance.”

Covid-19 Vaccinations in France

On a more positive note, France is one of the relatively few countries in the world to have initiated a vaccination campaign. Since the commencement of Covid-19 vaccinations in France, 479,873 people have received a vaccination. Among all vaccinated people, 57,746 underwent vaccination on Monday.

Commenting on these vaccinations, Health Minister Olivier Veran said, “With the acceleration of the vaccination campaign in nursing homes, we will have largely reached one million vaccinated people by the end of the month.”

The French government has, however, received criticism for the slow pace of the vaccine rollout. The point at which the majority of people in France will have been vaccinated remains uncertain.

At present, 237 candidate vaccines are undergoing development around the world. According to the most recent information released by the World Health Organization, 64 of these vaccines are in the midst of clinical trials.

by Weijun
19th January 2021 15:19