New cases increase in France's COVID-19, fears of third national closure

As hospital hospital stays reached 27,041, boosting fears of a third national deadlock.

Reuters President Emmanuel Macron still hopes that the impasses imposed 11 days ago will be sufficient to stem the tide in new cases caused by the release of the virus's most infectious variants.

Despite calls by some doctors for a new impasse, government minister Agnes Pannier-Rinacher said earlier that there was no need for a decision to make such a move at this stage.

Macro will chair the cabinet's weekly meeting Wednesday, and a press conference for the government is scheduled on Thursday.