The Wave Of COVID-19: France Sets A Dark Record Again, Reports More Than 200 Thousand Positive Cases A Day

Illustration of COVID-19 in France. (Wikimedia Commons/Jacques Paquier)

JAKARTA - The number of new infections across France broke a new record with more than 200,000 cases reported over the previous 24 hours, the Health Minister announced on Wednesday.

This dark record was set by Olivier Véran at a parliamentary session, where he revealed that 208,000 new cases of COVID-19 infection had been recorded in the last 24 hours.

“I wouldn't describe it as another wave when it comes to Omicron,” explains Véran, describing the 'two foes' the country faces along with the Delta variant, citing Euronews Dec. 29.

"Given the numbers we've recorded over the last few days in our country, I'm inclined to talk about tidal waves," he added.

Olivier Véran said 10 percent of the population were 'contact cases', and the unvaccinated had 'little chance of escaping the worst.'

There are caveats that daily figures may vary due to the holiday period, but the past week has seen a marked increase in cases.

On Wednesday the government announced nightclubs, which closed recently to curb the spread of the virus, will remain so for another three weeks in January.

Illustration of a COVID-19 vaccination center in France. (Wikimedia Commons/Bruno Barral)

It comes two days after French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a series of new measures to curb the impact of the Omicron variant. They did not impose a curfew on New Year's Eve, and did not go as far as the restrictions seen in some other European countries.

Between them, the period between the second and third vaccine doses will be reduced from four to three months. A new bill to convert a 'health clearance' to a 'vaccine license' will be submitted to parliament, with the aim of enacting it by mid-January.

If it passes, it means that a negative COVID test is no longer enough to enter restaurants, bars, and many other public spaces, and proof of vaccination is required instead.

The vaccine clearance is designed to urge the 'uncaring' people among the unvaccinated to get the vaccine, rather than reassure skeptics, Véran said on Wednesday.

Although the number of positive cases in France is expected to increase further with the spread of Omicron, much remains uncertain about the severity of the infection, especially among the elderly.

In its latest assessment of the impact of variance, the Pasteur Institute noted "the absence of a significant increase in hospitalizations in London", where COVID-19 cases have soared, as an 'encouraging sign'.

To note, every day, hundreds of thousands of people have received the third dose of the vaccine as the booster campaign is ramped up in France. But, although nearly 90 percent of people over 12 have had two doses, the number of people in France who didn't get an injection at all is more than five million.

Official rate from December 12 show the proportion of unvaccinated patients in intensive care is many times higher than those who have been inoculated.

The number of people in intensive care, among those aged 20 years and over who have received the third dose of vaccination, is just under 10 per million people. Among the unvaccinated, the number is 176 per million.