France Reports over 100,000 New COVID-19 Cases as Omicron Rages
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – France reported a daily record of more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases as President Emmanuel Macron weighs measures to contain the fast-spreading omicron variant.
COVID-19 cases totaled 104,611 on Saturday, according to data from the public health office, surpassing the 94,124 infections logged the previous day. The country reported 84 deaths, Bloomberg reported.
Macron, who is widely expected to seek a second term in April's election, will convene his health defense council on Monday to discuss the coronavirus.
The government intends to adopt a system requiring people to be fully vaccinated to enter bars, restaurants and cultural venues starting as soon as early January to help slow the spread, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Tuesday.
Health Minister Olivier Veran predicted earlier this week that the Omicron strain will become dominant in France during the period from Christmas to New Year's Day.
Omicron has also driven cases to records in Britain and Italy.
More than 16,000 people are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in France, including some 3,300 in intensive care. There have been more than 122,500 deaths.
