Health authorities said on Friday, that about 4.4 million people or 6.7 per cent of the population of mainland France were likely infected with the coronavirus by mid-April.
According to Sante Publique France (Public Health France) in its weekly epidemiological update, the figure was estimated on the basis of a campaign of antibody testing.
France was one of the European countries hit hardest by Covid-19, with 29,979 deaths recorded as of Thursday. A strict lockdown was in place from mid-March to mid-May.
According to surveys, compliance with several preventive measures, such as avoiding handshakes and maintaining at least 1 metre from other people, was declining, however mask wearing was stable.
Sante Publique France warned that the number of confirmed cases was now rising again in mainland France, and the epidemic has continued to spread in the South American territory of French Guiana.
The health body said that unlike in mainland France, the disease was circulating in the community there and rates of hospitalisation and admissions to intensive care were on the rise.
Comments are closed.