Coronavirus: the situation in France is going "in the wrong direction" says Jean Castex

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The situation linked to the coronavirus epidemic in France is evolving "in the wrong direction," Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Tuesday during a trip to the Montpellier CHU. He also detailed new measures to prevent a resumption of the epidemic difficult to control, while nearly 5,000 new cases of contamination were recorded between Friday and Monday.

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"  For about two weeks, the epidemiological situation, which we are monitoring very closely, is indeed evolving in the wrong direction  ", said the head of government during a visit to the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Montpellier, in the Herault.

Nearly 5,000 new cases of coronavirus contamination were recorded between Friday and Monday according to figures from Public Health France. The Directorate General of Health believes that the circulation of the virus is increasing, especially among young people.

► To read: Covid-19 in France: nearly 5,000 new cases in three days

" A high risk of epidemic resumption " 

"  I say it today with a form of gravity: if we do not react collectively, we expose ourselves to a high risk of epidemic resumption which will be difficult to control  ", said Jean Castex a few hours after a defense council on the subject, convened by the President of the Republic.

“  It will once again bring tension to the entire health chain, from city medicine to hospital services. It will also put pressure on our economy, our education system, our collective and cultural life.  " 

"  We have already suffered it, everyone remembers it," said Jean Castex . Nobody, nobody wants to experience it again.  "

The obligation to wear a mask and the ban on events of more than 5,000 people 

In order to prevent such a development, the government therefore asked the prefects and local elected officials to "  extend as much as possible the obligation to wear a mask in public spaces  ", he explained. “  We are also going to step up our actions in some 20 of the largest national metropolises, where large populations and large gatherings are concentrated.  "

► To read: Coronavirus: Paris and its region make the mask mandatory in certain areas

The government has already decided to extend the ban on events involving more than 5,000 people until October 30, while retaining the possibility of exemptions. At the same time, it intends to strengthen the screening policy by improving access to tests for people with symptoms of the disease, via dedicated circuits, in order to obtain rapid results.

"  We will also need to strengthen measures to ensure the effectiveness of what is called the fortnight or isolation,  " continued Jean Castex. "  Above all, avoid a backtracking, a major re-containment, it is essential and it is within our reach  ", concluded the Prime Minister.

► To listen: France: laboratories clogged with requests for Covid-19 screening tests

( With Reuters ) 

LIVE | Declaration of @JeanCastex from @CHU_Montpellier. https://t.co/1KWyenqUhe

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• France
• Jean Castex
• Coronavirus
• Health and medicine

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