France records 52,518 virus infections in 24 hours

French health authorities reported on Monday 52,518 infections over the previous 24 hours, the highest daily increase since the country began widespread testing.

The death toll from the virus increased by 418.

In total, 37,435 people have died in French hospitals and nursing homes since the start of the pandemic, the world's seventh-highest reported death toll.

COVID-19 patients now occupy more than 70% of France's intensive care units, a proportion that has doubled in two weeks.

France's government last week shut down all non-essential businesses and ordered people to stay indoors for at least one month to slow accelerating of virus infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

But schools are allowed to stay open to reduce learning gaps and enable parents to keep working.

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