France gears up for repeat lockdown as virus deaths rise
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Street in Paris during lockdown in August (Image courtesy: Reuters)
French markets opened lower amid concerns that President Emmanuel Macron will come out with some kind of lockdown Wednesday, though the government has not released details amid ongoing discussions about what measures would be most effective.
Many French doctors are urging a new nationwide lockdown, noting that 58% of the country's intensive care units are now occupied by COVID patients and medical staff are under increasing strain.
"The government didn't take into account what the first wave was and didn't learn all its lessons," Frederic Valletoux, president of the French Hospital Federation, said Wednesday on France-Inter radio.
He called for full, month-long lockdown, saying "this wave will be much more devastating for the hospital system. Hospitals won't manage if we don't take drastic measures." Business owners and some politicians are pushing for a compromise, such as local lockdowns in the hardest-hit areas, or a lockdown that would allow schools to stay open.
Economists warn that a full lockdown could impact Europe more broadly if other European countries hit hard by rising infections follow France's lead.
France reported 523 virus-related deaths in 24 hours Tuesday, the highest daily tally since April, bringing its overall death toll to 35,541, the third-highest toll in Europe after Britain and Italy.
France has for weeks been reporting tens of thousands of new infections per day and is now recording more than 380 new cases each week per 100,000 people.
(Based on PTI feed with minor edits)