SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 5 December 2024, Thursday |

France’s Macron to address country on COVID-19 situation

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening, his office said, as a fast-spreading third wave of coronavirus infections threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

The Elysee Palace did not mention whether Macron would announce more restrictions to contain the virus as the country’s death toll touches 100,000.

The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units rose by 98 on Tuesday to breach the 5,000 threshold, the highest toll this year.

The burden on intensive care is evidence that the current set of restrictions do not go far enough, public health experts say.

France has been under a nightly curfew since mid-December and in parts of the country, including Paris, the movement of citizens has been restricted and some non-essential stores shut down. Bars, restaurants and cinemas have been shut for months.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo told BFM TV that schools should be closed.

Macron is due to convene his COVID defense council for a weekly meeting later in the morning.

    Source:
  • Reuters