France records over 10,000 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours for first time

Saturday’s record figure came after French Prime Minister Jean Castex warned on Friday that there has been a "clear worsening" in France of the spread of Covid-19, which has "not lowered in intensity" and "will still be with us for some months".

A previous record of 9,843 new infections had been reported on Thursday.

Despite this resurgence in cases, Castex did not announce any major new restrictions, saying France's aim is to "avoid a general lockdown" and succeed in living with the virus through social distancing, mask-wearing and ramped-up testing.

Castex said his government would implement fast-tracked Covid-19 testing for priority cases and provide local authorities with the power to make some businesses reduce opening hours.

The country's Defence Council met on Friday to discuss new measures to stem the spread of the virus, while experts say that tough measures will have to be taken to stem the resurgence in cases.

Jean-François Delfraissy, who heads the scientific panel counselling the French government on coronavirus matters, said on Wednesday that the government would be "obliged to take a certain number of difficult decisions... in the next eight to 10 days at most".

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)