France will use a helicopter warship to transfer coronavirus patients in critical condition from Corsica to hospitals in the southeast of the country, its armed forces minister said on Friday, reports Reuters.
As of Thursday, there were 162 confirmed coronavirus cases on the Mediterranean island. The last official breakdown, on March 15th, showed six deaths and six people in intensive care.
“Following a decision from the president, the Tonnèrre helicopter carrier will soon dock to evacuate patients in intensive to health facilities that can take care of them,” Florence Parly, the armed forces minister, said on Twitter.
French authorities are trying to anticipate a sharp rise in cases to relieve stress on areas that have fewer units by moving patients to bigger hospitals.
Earlier this week patients were moved by military plane from eastern France to hospitals in Marseille and Toulon.