France Reports Over 10,000 New COVID-19 Cases... Europe Faces Lockdown Concerns

France Records Highest Since May Lockdown Lifted
Health Ministry Points to Social Gatherings and Travel

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The daily new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in France have once again risen to the 10,000 range, soaring to the highest level since the lockdown was lifted in May. As the number of confirmed cases continues to increase across Europe, the possibility of re-implementing lockdown measures is cautiously anticipated.

On the 18th (local time), U.S. Bloomberg reported that France's daily new confirmed cases exceeded 10,000 on the 17th (local time), raising the likelihood of lockdown measures being enforced in Europe.

According to the French Ministry of Health, the number of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 on the 17th increased by 10,593 from the previous day, totaling 415,481. The death toll rose by 50, reaching a total of 31,095. The number of new confirmed cases marked the second time to reach the 10,000 level, following May 12 (10,561).

A representative from the French Ministry of Health blamed "social gatherings mainly among young people and travelers returning from vacation spots carrying the COVID-19 virus" as the main causes of this sharp increase in confirmed cases. They particularly predicted that this trend would threaten the recent temporary economic recovery in Europe.

The French government decided not to impose a full lockdown but ordered local governments, especially in regions where hospital bed supply could be disrupted, to establish their own countermeasures. Accordingly, Marseille and Bordeaux have proposed several measures, including banning gatherings of more than 10 people. If the situation does not improve, additional measures such as closing bars and banning public assemblies are expected to be implemented.

Concerns are high as confirmed cases continue to rise steadily in other Eurozone countries besides France. In Germany, the daily new confirmed cases exceeded 2,000 on the same day, marking the highest number since April. Portugal reported 770 new cases on the 17th, setting a record for the highest number of new confirmed cases in the past five months. In Spain, more than 4,500 people tested positive on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.