UK variant accounts for 'about half' of France's Covid cases, PM says
Jean Castex also said the spread of the virus was worrying in 20 French departments – the country's administrative regions – including Paris and the areas surrounding the capital.
TheThe more contagious British variant "now accounts for about half of people infected with Covid-19 in France", Prime Minister Jean Castex said during a press conference on Thursday. The same variant had represented fewer than 40 percent of cases according to numbers released a week ago, reports FRANCE 24.
Castex also said France could impose new measures including weekend lockdowns in Paris and 19 other departments in the country from early March if coronavirus cases continue to escalate.
The prime minister said a new nationwide lockdown was not on the agenda, but that French citizens needed to remain alert to make sure they contain the spread of the virus while vaccines are rolled out.
Speaking in a televised address, Castex said the spread was worrying in 20 French departments – the country's administrative regions – including Paris and the areas surrounding the capital.
