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| Image: Reuters, France passes 4000 corona virus deaths, no end of lock-down in sight |
France
passes 4000 corona virus deaths, no end of lock down in sight.
France
has increased the number of beds in intensive care units from 5000 to about 10000
since the start of the crisis and it is aiming to reach 14500 as soon as
possible.
France
became the fourth country to pass the 4000 corona virus deaths threshold on
Wednesday, after Italy, Spain and the United States, as the government
scrambles to stay ahead of the curve regarding ventilator-equipped beds that
are quickly filling up.
French
health authorities reported 509 new deaths from the disease, taking the total
to 4 032. But, after speeding up the previous two days, the rate of increase of
deaths has decelerated in France, which is now in its third week of lock down to
try to slow the spread of the virus.
Speaking
by video conference in front of a parliament committee created to hold the
government accountable for the way it handles the crisis, French Prime Minister
Edouard Philippe said the lock down would likely be unwound gradually rather
than in one go.
The
government has ordered people to stay in their homes except for essential
travel from March 17 until at least April 15.
“It
is likely that we are not heading towards a general de-confinement in one go
and for everyone,” Philippe said without indicating when the government might
start to ease or completely lift the lock down.
The
daily government tally still only accounts for those dying in hospitals but
authorities say they will very soon be able to compile data on deaths in
retirement homes, which is likely to result in a big increase in registered
fatalities.
State
health agency director Jerome Salomon told a news conference that the number of
cases had risen to 56,989, a rise of 9%, versus an increase of 17% Tuesday.
Salomon
said 6017 people were in a serious condition needing life support, up 8%
compared with Tuesday.
France
has increased the number of beds in intensive care units from 5,000 to about 10,000
since the start of the crisis and it is aiming to reach 14,500 as soon as
possible.
“We
are coping with a highly exceptional pandemic, that has an unprecedented impact
on our health system. A deadly pandemic, with a very contagious virus”, Salomon
said.
With
13155 deaths to date, Italy accounts for almost 30% of the global death tally.
Spain has 9053 deaths and, just like France, the United States has just passed
the 4,000 mark.
The
four countries now account for about two-thirds of the total deaths now at more
than 45,000 from the corona virus around the world.
Week Reports
Source, SABCNEWS & REUTERS
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