The number of cases is breaching the thresholds maintained by the French government
France is examining the current situation in Paris and may put the city in lockdown due to the growing number of cases of the novel coronavirus in the city. The businesses fear long term losses due to the anticipated lockdown. Bars and restaurants have already been forced closed due to the city reaching the maximum threshold.
French minister of Health Olivier Véran said that the situation is under observation and will be reassessed on Sunday.
“Since yesterday, in the last 24 hours, Paris has passed the threshold that would put it in the maximum alert category,” Véran said.
France’s “maximum alert” threshold is reached when the incidence rate reaches 250 per 100,000 people, at least 30% of intensive care beds are occupied by coronavirus patients and the rate among the elderly passes 100 per 100,000.
Currently, 34% of the critical care beds in the city are occupied by coronavirus patients. The rate of coronavirus per 100,000 people has reached 100 in the people of 65 years of age. The lockdown can come in effect as early as Monday. Spain has made a similar move in Madrid due to the rising number of cases of the COVID-19.
Paris has been under an enhanced alert where gatherings of a maximum of ten people are allowed. There is also a curfew on bars to close at 10 PM. Pedestrians and scooter riders are required to wear face masks. Similarly, people in closed areas are also required to wear masks. School children over the age of 11 also need to wear masks.
France has nearly 590,000 cases of coronavirus with over 32,000 deaths. The number of active cases is close to 460,000. The total number of cases per million has exceeded 9,000.