• May 13, 2020
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France overtakes Spain’s death toll as restrictions ease

France has registered the fourth highest number of fatalities in the world from COVID-19 yesterday, 12 May. The country reported 348 new deaths, bringing its total to 26,991 and overtaking Spain. France’s death toll had been trailing Spain’s for weeks, with tolls at above 22,000 each since 24 April. Spain had less than 100 more deaths than France for several days last week.

France reached the grim milestone on its second day of loosening its strict, eight-week nationwide lockdown meant to curb the contagion. Thousands of primary and nursery schools have already reopened, but with children’s chairs separated and with teachers wearing masks. Residents have also been allowed to go outside their homes without handing in a permit, while some shops have reopened.

The French health ministry said in a statement that the country has seen an uninterrupted downward trend in infections and hospitalisations for the past four weeks. The number of patients in need of intensive care has also gone down to only 2,542 – a far cry from over 7,000 at the peak of the outbreak in April. These key figures played a key role in France’s decision to relax its rules. Unions, scientists and parliamentary deputies, however, have criticised the easing of restrictions as “premature.”

The government has reiterated that it may tighten its measures once more if a surge in infection occurs. “We must consider the possibility of reversing the end of lockdown. If certain indicators deteriorate, we will tighten measures again, possibly on a regional basis,” said government “deconfinement” coordinator Jean Castex.

Latest data from Johns Hopkins University show that France has recorded over 178,000 COVID-19 cases.