He said in particular that the virus reproduction rate, the "R" ratio, had risen above one in France, meaning that a single person infected with COVID-19 is likely spreading the disease to others.
The coronavirus reproduction rate, simply known as "R", has surged above 1 for the first time since the beginning of this month to now stand at 1.2, according to Public Health France.
"Fears of a new outbreak are also intensifying in Grand-Est, a region in northeastern France, where the number of new cases almost doubled week-on-week.Michel Vernay, epidemiologist and head of Public Health France in the Grand Est, said: “From July 13 to 19, we observed 298 new cases diagnosed in the region, whereas the previous week we had only had 156. FRANCE has opened beachside coronavirus testing sites in tourist areas amid fears over a second wave sweeping across Europe. News reporter "Despite the increase in coronavirus clusters, he insisted there are "no worrying figures" in terms of hospitalisation, and "at this stage, we are very far away from the second wave".The prefect of the western Brittany department of Finistère said the situation there is "under control, even after warning of a "fairly rapid development" of coronavirus, describing it as "a source of concern".The R rate there is 3.1 percent, according to Santé Publique France - a massive upsurge from the national average of 1.2 percent.He said: "The main vector of dissemination of the virus is still the mixing of the population because of holidays", with a strong "tourist pressure".The Finistère prefect added this development is the result of "the emergence of sporadic cases, not on a large scale".But despite the attempt to play down the seriousness of the situation in Finistère, fears are growing a second wave of coronavirus could soon be on its way.Jean-Paul Mongeat, departmental delegate of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Brittany, warned: "The situation is worrying because we are witnessing an upsurge in the number of confirmed cases. "We had the lockdown, which reduced the number of sick people, and then a little while later we saw a reduction of the concentration of [COVID-19] in the wastewater," Mr Moulin said. "To collect the samples, workers at a sewage plant in Noisy-le-Grand, in the eastern suburbs of Paris, have been filling plastic bottles with wastewater and putting them in a cool box.These are then taken to the laboratory, where they are analysed by researchers in biohazard suits and masks.The researchers test for coronavirus genomes - fragments of the virus's genetic material which are not infectious and can be emitted by people who have no symptoms.The evidence gathered by the laboratory will be used along with other data to track the progression of the virus.Scientists in the UK, led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, are conducting a similar study of wastewater.France has the sixth-highest COVID-19 death toll in the world and reported 10 on Thursday, taking its total to 30,185, according to figures being tracked by Johns Hopkins University.The country's health ministry reported 2,615 new cases on Thursday, compared with a daily average of 132 in June.
Coronavirus: France sees 'significant' surge in cases as COVID-19 traces found in Paris sewage system
While the lockdown has been almost entirely lifted in most of France, the epidemic remains present. France has declared a significant rise in coronavirus cases - as researchers have said traces of COVID-19 are once again being found in Paris's sewage system. On this website you can find information and guidance from the French Government regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease COVID-19 in France. France has the sixth-highest COVID-19 death toll in the world and reported 10 on Thursday, taking its total to 30,185, according to figures being tracked by Johns Hopkins University. Health authorities in France have confirmed a “marked increase” of 54% in the number of new coronavirus cases across the French mainland since last week..