The increase in the number of new cases is confirmed in France, according to figures from the health authorities, while 12 new deaths have been recorded in hospital.

In Croatia, Italy, and Australia, protests have taken place against restrictions linked to the pandemic.

Follow the evolution of the situation live. 

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In France, the increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus is confirmed.

8,550 new cases were thus detected in 24 hours, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health.

And the government predicts an increase in the number of severe cases "in the next 15 days".

In several countries including Italy and Australia, demonstrators marched to protest the restrictions imposed to fight the pandemic.

Follow the evolution of the situation live. 

The main information to remember

  • In France, the increase in the number of cases is confirmed

  • The Minister of Health Olivier Véran hopes for a vaccine "at the latest in the spring"

  • Protests against coronavirus restrictions have taken place in several countries

  • The pandemic has killed more than 875,000 people worldwide

8,550 new cases in France

The number of new cases of Covid-19 detected in 24 hours in France reached the figure of 8,550, close to the record of the day before since the start of the epidemic and the launch of large-scale tests in the country, according to data published Saturday evening by the Directorate General of Health (DGS).

8,550 positive cases have been confirmed since Friday, roughly the same level as the day before (8,975 cases), confirming the marked increase compared to previous days when there were just over 7,000 new cases in 24 hours.

The number of hospital deaths has reached 20,222, or 12 more in the past 24 hours, for a total of 30,698 deaths since the start of the epidemic.

The number of new hospitalizations over the last seven days has reached 1,661, including 285 in intensive care, according to Public Health France.

Olivier Véran predicts an increase in the number of serious cases

As the number of people infected with the coronavirus increases every day, the government is warning against the evolution of the health situation.

Asked Saturday on BFM-TV, the Minister of Health Olivier Véra warned that "in the next 15 days, there will be an increase in the number of serious cases and admission to intensive care". 

A future vaccine for less than 10 euros

The cost of the future vaccine being developed by Sanofi and GSK laboratories against Covid-19 "is not yet fully defined", but will be "less than ten euros" per dose, according to Olivier Bogillot, president of Sanofi France.

The Anglo-Swedish competitor AstraZeneca has meanwhile announced the price of 2.50 euros per dose for its vaccine.

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For his part, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran, still on BFM-TV, said he hoped for a vaccine "at the latest in spring" next.

Read this article to find out where the vaccine race is. 

Protests in Italy, Croatia, and Australia

Demonstrations related to the coronavirus epidemic took place on Saturday in several countries, including Australia, Italy, and Croatia.

In Melbourne, Australian police announced they had arrested dozens of protesters marching in the country's second city against official restrictions linked to the pandemic.

The illegal gathering had been promoted on social media among groups following conspiracy theories related to the coronavirus, and calling for an end to containment measures.

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In Italy, about a thousand people marched through the center of Rome to protest against the obligation to vaccinate children of school age and the wearing of masks.

"No to the obligation to vaccinate, yes to freedom of choice", "No mask at school, no distancing", "Personal freedom is inviolable" and "Long live freedom" proclaimed signs brandished by the demonstrators, the majority of whom did not wear a mask. 

Finally, in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, several thousand citizens demonstrated to protest against the anti-pandemic measures imposed by the government, which they claim violate their freedom and human rights.

“The Covid is a lie, we are not all covidiots”, or even “Take off the mask, turn off the TV, live your life to the fullest”, we could notably hear. 

More than 875,000 dead worldwide 

The pandemic has killed at least 875,703 people around the world since the end of December, according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Saturday at 11:00 GMT.

The United States is the most affected country in terms of deaths, with 188,501 dead.

Brazil (126,203 dead), India (69,561), Mexico (66,851) and the United Kingdom (41,537) follow.

Ranked third among the most bereaved countries, India has also become the third country in the world to cross the four million case mark, with a record 86,432 new infections on Saturday in the country where the pandemic does not seem to be abating.