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France has record rise in coronavirus deaths, up 509 to 4,032

PARIS, April 1 (KUNA) -- France on Wednesday reported a record surge in coronavirus deaths, which rose by 509 to 4,032 over the past 24 hours, Health Minister Oliver Veran said in parliament.
Speaking to a Parliamentary Information Commission, Veran said the record rise was a trajectory to be expected given the behavior of the virus as it moves towards its peak.
He also said that there were 450 more patients in critical condition, requiring treatment in Intensive Care Units (ICU), where there are now 6,017 sick people receiving such treatment.
Separately, Director-General for Health Jerome Salomon reported that the total number of confirmed cases by 4,861 to 56,989 up from 52,128 a day earlier.
In total, there are over 24,635 people hospitalized with the coronavirus infection, Veran told the Commission.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told the same commission that the government was looking at how to "de-confine" people on a regional or age basis depending on the evolution of the situation. He excluded any general lifting of the lockdown in this country.
The whole country is in almost total lockdown for two weeks and this has been extended until April 15, at least.
The Prime Minister also warned that the health crisis will bring about an economic crisis and France should prepare for this.
In addition, he warned that end-of-year school exams, scheduled for June, would not be able to be held in normal conditions.
He said France was massively importing and manufacturing protective masks which have been in short supply here, particularly for medical personnel treating infected patients.
The latest fatalities were all registered in French hospitals and the record high figure does not include people who passed away in retirement homes or similar structures, or at home.
Those fatalities will be added in at the end of the month by national statistics office INSEE. (pickup previous) jk.gta