France registers over 84,000 new COVID cases

PARIS

France said Wednesday it had detected more than 84,000 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, the highest figure since April.

A total of 84,272 cases were registered, coming close to the 84,999 new infections recorded during the height of the country’s spring wave.

The rapid progression of the virus has become a major worry for the government, which has deemed the health situation "critical."

The figures are likely to surge in the coming days, with health authorities projecting over 100,000 cases per day due to the omicron variant.

Addressing the weekly press conference earlier in the day, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the pace of the epidemic is likely to accelerate under the effects of omicron, which would become dominant between Christmas and New Year’s.

The Macron administration is hesitant, however, about announcing additional curbs that could impede commercial business and spoil Christmas festivities for families.

New restrictions will be announced after the government takes stock of the health situation on Dec. 27, Attal said. Several cities including Paris have cancelled major concerts and fireworks scheduled for end of year celebrations.