Coronavirus has spread to more than 75 countries around the world including several across Europe. France is the third most infected country on the continent, behind Italy and Germany, with 257 reported cases. Express.co.uk has compiled a guide to show you the areas most at risk in France.
Last week France banned all indoor gatherings of more than 5,000 people in an effort to contain the country’s coronavirus outbreak.
On Wednesday, French health chiefs confirmed the country had 257 cases of coronavirus in France, many of which were concentrated in five clusters.
The new total is an increase of 45 cases since Tuesday’s total of 212.
The focal point for the outbreak in France has been the Oise département in the northern region of Hauts-de-France, which is the region with the highest number of cases.
READ MORE
-
Italy closes sport events to fans for a MONTH including Six Nations
These are the number of reported cases for each region of France:
- Hauts-de-France: 59
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 40
- Île-de-France: 37
- Bretagne: 19
- Grand Est: 13
- Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: 13
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur: 10
- Occitanie: 7
- Pays de la Loire: 5
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine: 4
- Normandie: 2
- Centre-Val de Loire: 0
- Corse: 0
These are spread across départements, which are administrative divisions of France, with clusters of cases:
- Oise: 47
- Morbihan: 12
- Haute-Savoie: 10
- Haut-Rhin: 10
DON’T MISS
Coronavirus crisis: Pictures show Venice EMPTY of tourists [INSIGHT]
Coronavirus latest: Psychic predicts COVID-19 epidemic will blow over [EXPLAINER]
Royal coronavirus scare: Outbreak may force Anne into drastic decision [PICTURES]
READ MORE
- Prince Charles and Camilla catch double-decker bus to royal engagement
So far Four people have been killed by the virus in France.
The latest death was a man, 92, in Morbihan in Brittany, whose death was confirmed on Tuesday.
Government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye said on Wednesday it “unfortunately seems unlikely” that France could avoid stage 3, which is a full-blown epidemic.
Ms Ndiaye added that despite bans on enclosed spaces it was “out of the question to postpone the upcoming municipal elections” on March 15 and 22.
Of the 257 confirmed cases in France, around 100 patients are being treated in hospital.
A total of 10 of these hospitalised cases are said to be in a serious condition.
The first two fatalities in France were an elderly Chinese tourist and a French teacher, 60.
The third death was a woman, 89, who died at a hospital in Compiègne in northern France before the Brittany man brought the death toll to four.
Director-General of Health Jerome Salomon previously said France’s strategy is to prevent or to slow the spread of the killer infection.
Mr Salomon said: “Despite the emerging nature of this new virus, the state and the health services are completely mobilised to face up to this changing situation.”
On Wednesday Health Minister Olivier Véran said: “We are anticipating an epidemic.
“We are not yet in an epidemic but we are facing the threat an epidemic that is approaching.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued some guidance about travel to France.
The FCO website reads: “There is an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus in China and elsewhere, including France.
“The French authorities are dealing with confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Oise, Haute Savoie and Britanny.
“If you’re in these areas you should follow the advice of the local authorities.”
Source: Read Full Article