France reports third consecutive ‘accelerated’ daily death toll

French health authorities reported a record 499 new deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the total to 3,523, an increase of 17 percent in the past 24 hours. This was the third consecutive day that the rate of deaths accelerated in France, which is now in its third week of lockdown to try to slow the spread of the virus.

State health agency director Jérôme Salomon told a news conference that the number of cases had risen to 52,128, a rise of 17 percent in 24 hours, probably due to the fact that France has been ramping up testing

Salomon said 5,565 people were in a serious condition needing life support, up 9 percent compared to Monday, a rate of increase slightly slower compared to previous days. The health system is struggling to cope with the pace of the outbreak.

France 24