French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne urged people to wear masks in crowded spaces after health officials on Tuesday reported a sharp rise in cases of Covid over the past week.
Positive tests rose to 147,248, up 54 percent from the previous week, according to figures released on Tuesday, with experts speaking of a seventh wave of the virus in Europe.
Borne spoke after a meeting with senior health officials and the heads of administration of the French regions.
Although wearing masks on public transport is no longer mandatory, Borne said she recommends using them in crowded places or confined spaces due to the increase in cases.
She also reminded people to wash their hands frequently, ventilate closed places and check that they are up to date on their vaccinations.
Vulnerable people and anyone over 60 already has the right to a booster shot.
The new numbers are the highest in France since late April.
As of Tuesday, France is treating 15,496 people in hospital for Covid, compared with 14,333 a week ago. Of these, 898 are in intensive care, compared with 841 a week earlier.
While the vaccines have increased people’s resistance to Covid, new variants are overcoming the protection that the vaccines – or those previously infected – offered.
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