After surpassing 3,000 on Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16, the number of new positive Covid-19 cases detected in France dropped to 493 in the past 24 hours, the French Public Health Agency (SPF ). The numbers of hospitalized and intensive care patients, however, continued to increase.

The 3,310 new cases recorded on Saturday August 15 were the highest figure since the nationwide lockdown was lifted on May 11.

If the number of new cases is therefore divided by approximately six, French hospitals have admitted 234 new patients with Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, against 173 on Friday, the day of the last daily update of the DGS. Currently, 4,925 people are hospitalized for this reason, 97 more than Friday.

Increase in hospitalizations "especially among those under 40"

"The number of people hospitalized for Covid has been rising for three weeks, especially among those under 40," said the ministry. "Nearly half of the people for whom the RT-PCR (virological) test was positive did not present any symptoms but were therefore likely to transmit the Covid to their close contacts", adds the General Directorate of Health (DGS) .

In addition, 34 patients were admitted to intensive care units, against 20 on Friday. Resuscitation departments have 384 people hospitalized with a coronavirus infection, 17 more than Friday. The number of people in intensive care thus rose to the level observed on July 28.

SPF also recorded 19 deaths due to COVID-19 in 24 hours, bringing the total toll of the epidemic to 30,429, including 19,924 in hospitals and 10,505 in social and medico-social establishments. These figures, dating from last week, will be updated on Tuesday, August 18.

According to the DGS, 21 new foci of grouped cases, or clusters, have been detected.

The marked increase in the number of new contaminations in recent weeks has led many cities, including Paris and Marseille, to impose the wearing of masks outside in the busiest districts in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.

With AFP and Reuters

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