France reports 27 coronavirus deaths in last 24 hours

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A man walks on a deserted Rue de la Republique in Lyon, central-eastern France, on March 17, 2020, as a strict lockdown comes into effect in France to stop the spreading of the COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus. – A strict lockdown requiring most people in France to remain at home came into effect at midday on March 17, 2020, prohibiting all but essential outings in a bid to curb the coronavirus spread. The government has said tens of thousands of police will be patrolling streets and issuing fines of 38 to 135 euros (42-150 USD) for people without a written declaration justifying their reasons for being out. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)

PARIS, France (AFP) — French health authorities on Tuesday said that 27 more people had died over the last 24 hours from the coronavirus in the country, bringing the total death toll in France to 175 people.

There are now 7,730 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, France’s top health official Jerome Salomon told reporters, a jump of over 1,000 on the day earlier.

His comments came as France entered the first day of a lockdown ordered by President Emmanuel Macron which orders people to stay at home and prohibits all non-essential movements.

Salamon said of those infected, 2,579 people were currently hospitalized including 699 in intensive care. Seven percent of those who have died are aged under 65.

“We are progressively moving to a general epidemic over the territory” of France, he said, urging people to “stay at home” and keep contacts to a minimum.

© Agence France-Presse