France’s Virus Cases Climb by 17,164 to More Than 165,000

(Bloomberg) -- France reported a surge in coronavirus cases on Thursday as more data from nursing and retirement homes were added. The increase came even as coronavirus-linked deaths fell for the first time in four days.

The number of coronavirus cases in France stands at 165,027 infections, an increase of 17,164 from the total reported on Wednesday, according to data published by the health ministry. Deaths linked to the virus rose to 17,920, Director General for Health Jerome Salomon said at a briefing in Paris, an increase of 753 fatalities from a day earlier.

France’s daily coronavirus figures have fluctuated amid inconsistent reporting from nursing homes, which were first included in the tally this month. The new deaths and infections, including those in nursing homes, pushed the total toward the levels of Spain and Italy, the countries in Europe hardest hit by the pandemic.

“We’re more facing a plateau rather than a peak,” Salomon said. “It’s going in the right direction so it’s good news.”

The number of people hospitalized in France due to the coronavirus fell for a second day, Salomon said. Patients in ICU beds, an indicator of outbreak’s intensity and its impact on the country’s hospital system, fell by 209 to 6,248, falling for an eight day to the lowest since April 1.

“The epidemic remains very dynamic,” Salomon said. “Hospital activity remains abnormal, and the number of ICU beds remains high.”

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