France’s coronavirus death toll slows to 441 the day after a record 588 were killed by the disease as the total deaths across Europe hits 45,000
- Over 440 people in France who tested positive with the coronavirus died today
- Director General of Health said death toll since start of outbreak was at 7,560
- The slowdown follows grim news yesterday that 588 people had died in 24 hours
- France is extending its lockdown until April 15 as the pandemic rocks the country
The number of people who died from coronavirus infections in France today slowed to 441 after a record 588 people were killed with the disease yesterday.
France’s Director General of Health Jerome Salomon said the death toll in hospitals and nursing homes since the start of the outbreak now stood at 7,560.
The slowdown follows grim news yesterday that the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospitals had risen by 5,233 – 9 percent.
Mr Salomon told a press briefing that there were 17,827 confirmed or suspected cases in nursing homes compared to 14,638 on Thursday.
It means France has over 80,00 confirmed or suspected cases, as the total number of coronavirus-linked deaths hits 45,000.
France has joined the US, Spain, Italy, and Germany as countries that have surpassed cases reported by China, where the pandemic originated.
The number of people who died from coronavirus infections in France slowed to 441 after a record 588 people were killed yesterday (pictured, medical staff in Bordeaux)
France’s Director General of Health Jerome Salomon (pictured) said the death toll in hospitals and nursing homes since the start of the outbreak now stood at 7,560
The WHO confirmed that over one million people have contracted the deadly coronavirus
The 588 jump yesterday represented a 13 percent increase, excluding nursing home data. The Health Ministry said deaths in nursing homes rose to 1,416.
Following criticism about French Covid-19 statistics not reflecting the dozens of people dying in senior citizens’ residences or their own homes, the Health Ministry on Thursday provided the first data on deaths in nursing homes.
Elderly people living in close quarters in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to the highly contagious virus, experts believe.
Meanwhile, the provisional nursing home tally – while still incomplete – accounts for more than a fifth of all French Covid-19 deaths.
In an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the French Government last week chose to extend its stay-at-home lockdown until at least April 15.
The slowdown follows grim news that the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospitals had risen by 5,233 (pictured, French police checking ‘right to travel’ papers in Paris)
A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, waits for a train sitting on his suitcase inside an empty Gare de Lyon train station in Paris amid the coronavirus pandemic
A woman wearing a face mask buying fruits and vegetables at a temporary market post in Paris
The strict rules are for all non-essential employees and will also mean continued widespread business closures, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said.
‘In agreement with the president, today I’m announcing the renewal of the confinement period for two more weeks,’ he said at the Elysee presidential palace.
‘Obviously this period will be extended again if conditions require it.’
As he left the meeting of French Government ministers, Mr Philippe announced: ‘It is clear that we are only at the beginning of the epidemic wave.’
France began its lockdown on March 17, initially for 15 days, although President Emmanuel Macron was clear that this was a minimum and it could be extended.
Edouard Philippe (left) announced the Government was extending the coronavirus lockdown until April 15, though Emmanuel Macron (right) had hinted of its extension in March
Inhabitants applaud to pay tribute to medical staff as France joins the US, Spain, Italy, and Germany as countries that have surpassed cases reported by China
An empty Champs Elysee avenue in Paris amid the coronavirus lockdown, extended to April 15