LOC21:27
18:27 GMT
PARIS, Aug 12 (KUNA) -- French health authorities on Wednesday registered 17 more deaths from COVID-19 as the total number of fatalities crept up to 30,371.
France is facing a significant increase in virus cases and confirmed infections rose again Wednesday by 2,524, the largest increase since May.
The number of total infections since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic has now reached 206,696, the published data showed.
The Health Ministry indicated that there has now been a weekly surge of 11,633 new coronavirus cases throughout the country.
In addition, the weekly positivity rate from over 606,000 tests in the past seven days has risen to 2.2 percent from 2.1 percent on Tuesday. A week ago, the positivity rage was only 1.1 percent.
Health said they are currently investigating close to 300 suspect clusters, with 18 new clusters reported in the past 24 hours.
Officials here have been warning against a possible resurgence of coronavirus because of weaker discipline and non-respect of protective measures like masks and social distancing and because of ill-advised family and other group gatherings.
Most areas are now either implementing or mulling an obligation to wear protective masks outside the home or face a fine. (end)
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