292 new deaths from the coronavirus have been recorded in hospitals in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 62,268 since the start of the pandemic.

More than 21,000 new cases have been recorded, but the positivity rate is declining. 

France has recorded 21,634 new cases of Covid-19 contamination in the past 24 hours but the positivity rate is down, according to figures from health authorities published on Thursday.

The number of new daily cases hovered between 12,000 and 18,000 last week.

It was 14,929 Wednesday and 11,795 Tuesday. 

The positivity rate, which measures the percentage of people positive for the coronavirus out of all those tested, was 3.8% on Thursday, after 4.3% on Wednesday and 4.4% on Tuesday.

This key indicator stood at 6.4% on December 8, when a new accounting method was introduced.

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Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Thursday, December 24

The number of cases detected has been high in recent days, due in particular to a rush on tests before the family reunion at the end of the year.

Last week (latest data available), some 2.35 million tests were carried out, up more than 50% from the previous week, said Thursday the Drees, the statistical service of social ministries.

292 new deaths

The Covid-19 has killed 292 people in hospitals in the past 24 hours (after 278 Wednesday) bringing the total death toll to 62,268 (including 43,073 in hospital) since the start of the pandemic, according to Public Health France.

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Health authorities fear that the end of the year celebrations will lead to a rebound in the epidemic, by promoting social promiscuity.

In France, the first vaccines against Covid-19 will be administered on Sunday.

The French strategy plans to vaccinate as a priority the elderly in nursing homes and the workers of these residences presenting risk factors, that is to say approximately 1 million people.