France coronavirus cases surge. It is now the epicenter of the second wave of infections, forcing the government to impose new restrictions.
As of October 28, France recorded 244 new Covid-19 deaths, making the total 35,785, according to Reuters, citing data shown on French television during a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Figures also showed that France posted 36,437 new Covid-19 infections, bringing the total to 1,235,132. France saw daily infections top 50,000 over the weekend, while the seven-day average of new daily cases has risen by more than 50% over the past week.
France and Germany lockdown
France and Germany lockdown rules have been implemented to contain the spread of the virus as the number of France coronavirus cases continues to increase.
Macron has announced France’ second lockdown until at least the end of November as France and Germany respond to new infections.
Under the new restrictions, people can only leave home for essential work or medical reasons. Non-essential establishments, such as restaurants and bars, will need to shut down. However, schools and factories will remain open.
According to Macron, the country risked being "overwhelmed by a second wave that no doubt will be harder than the first".
Germany coronavirus lockdown
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the four-week shutdown of restaurants, cinemas, bars, theaters, and some other such facilities starting Nov. 2 to contain the spread of the virus.
Merkel said that the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care throughout the country has increased twice over the past 10 days. She noted that Germany’s hospitals will reach capacity in the coming weeks if the spike continues.
“These are tough measures,” she said. “We must act, and now, to avoid an acute national health emergency.”
She added that schools, shops, and daycares will still be open, but will observe new restrictions on capacity. Restaurants will be open for takeout, Merkel noted. She asked citizens to not travel if not necessary.
“We can say that our health system can cope with the challenge today,” Merkel said. “But if the pace of infections continues like this, then we’ll reach the limits of what the health system can manage within weeks.”
Germany saw a spike of 14,964 new cases on Wednesday, according to its disease control agency. The country posted an average of more than 11,100 new infections per day over the past week, an increase of more than 61% compared with a week ago, based on a CNBC analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz believes that November will be a crucial month.
“November will be a month of truth,” Scholz said. “The increasing numbers of infections are forcing us to take tough countermeasures in order to break the second wave with targeted and temporary measures, including effective financial aid for the affected companies.”
Experts are concerned about the higher infection rates among older people because they are much more likely to be hospitalized and carry a higher risk of dying.
There are more people over-65s in some Eastern European countries who are contracting the virus than before, with over 100 in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, and Romania.
The World Health Organization reported that around 88% of all deaths as of late August in Europe were among the over-65 age group. Czech Republic had over-65s made up 14% of weekly infections, with 94% of deaths as of October 11.
When the coronavirus starts infecting older people, hospitals can become overwhelmed as they did in Spain, Italy, and other countries during the first wave.
