France reports more than 200,000 cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours

The increase in infections in France seems to have no ceiling. After almost 180,000 cases yesterday, the European country today reached a new record of infections and reported 208,000 in the last 24 hours. The figure is not only a record in the country, but throughout Europe.” Considering the numbers we are recording in recent days, I would call it a tidal wave,” Health Minister Olivier Veran said. Every second, he said, two people in France test positive for COVID-19. The official indicated that the situation in the hospitals was worrying due to the Delta variant, but that, so far, there is no perceived impact of Ómicron on health networks. He warned, however, that flu season will make things even more complicated for hospitals.” The virus circulates too much,” he insisted. Due to the increase in infections, the French government reported today that nightclubs will remain closed for three more weeks from January 3. The announcement came hours before the French Parliament today begins debating a new law that requires a “vaccination passport”, and no longer a negative test, to access restaurants, cinemas, museums and other public places in a bid to encourage the population to get vaccinated against Covid-19.The country’s nearly 1,600 nightclubs had been closed since December 6 for an initial period of four weeks coinciding with the Christmas period, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, whose variant Ómicron has been especially contagious. But yesterday, France recorded 179,807 new cases in 24 hours, an exponential increase from 100,000 cases on Saturday. Faced with this surge in cases, the government of President Emmanuel Macron announced this week a series of restrictions that will take effect next year, after the New Year, including that large events will be limited to 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 outdoors. Eating and drinking in theatres, sports venues and public transport will also be prohibited; and working from home will be mandatory at least three days a week whenever possible.

Original source in Spanish