Paris (AFP)
France has crossed the threshold of 10,000 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours, a record since the launch of large-scale tests in the country, according to data released Saturday by Public Health France.
The number of confirmed cases in one day stands at 10,561, against 9,406 new cases the day before, specifies the health agency.
The positivity rate (proportion of the number of people tested positive in relation to the total number of people tested) remains stable at 5.4%, and 17 people died in hospital in 24 hours.
The number of patients entering intensive care has increased further, with 417 new patients hospitalized in the last 7 days, or 28 more in 24 hours.
In total, 30,910 people have died from Covid-19 since the start of the epidemic in France six months ago and 10 million tests have been carried out.
Faced with a "manifest deterioration" of the situation, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Friday a reduction in the duration of isolation to 7 days for positive cases and their contacts, a reduction in waiting times for tests.
On Saturday, the head of government tested "negative" for Covid-19 during a second screening, and ended his isolation.
© 2020 AFP