Paris will likely move to a "maximum alert" level for COVID-19, France's health minister said on Thursday, with the government set to introduce new measures to control the spread of the virus as early as Monday if the situation does not improve over the next couple of days, reports Euronews.
One of the measures that could be introduced in the capital is the closure of bars and restaurants, an action already taken in Marseille and Aix, cities currently designated at "maximum alert," the second to last alert level before a formal state of emergency is declared
Health minister Olivier Véran said three key COVID-19 indicators had been hit in Paris: the city has 263 new COVID-19 cases daily per 100,000 people, 105 new cases daily per 100,000 people over the age of 65, and between 30-35% of intensive care units now treat COVID-19 patients.
Authorities will confirm the indicators in Paris over the weekend, Véran said.