France's Covid-19 Tally Exceeds 10 Million

jpnn.com, PRANCIS - France has become the sixth country in the world to report more than 10 million Covid-19 infections, according to official data published on Saturday (1/1).

French health authorities reported a total of 219,126 new confirmed cases in a 24-hour period, which was the fourth straight day the country recorded more than 200,000 cases.

France follows the United States, India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Russia, which have had more than 10 million cases.

Saturday's figure was the second highest after Friday's record of 232,200, when French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the next few weeks would be difficult.

Macron, in his New Year's Eve address, made no mention of the need for tougher health measures than those already announced.

However, the government said on Saturday morning that starting Monday (3/1), wearing a mask in public spaces would be mandatory for children aged at least six years - from the previous 11.

Several major cities, including Paris and Lyon, have reinstated the mandatory mask wearing on the streets for everyone.

The number of hospitalized patients due to Covid-19 increased by 96 in 24 hours, reaching a more than seven-month peak of 18,811 cases.