The number of patients with Covid-19 in intensive care units in France has risen to the highest this year, according to health ministry, as the government faces calls for a strict lockdown to curb a third wave of infections.
A nurse takes care of a patient suffering from Covid-19 at the intensive care unit of the Centre hospitalier privé de l'Europe in Port-Marly. Photo: AFP
France had 4791 ICU patients being treated for Covid-19 on Saturday, up from 4766 on Friday, the data showed.
A further 194 deaths linked to the virus were recorded at hospitals in the past 24 hours, according to the data.
The intensive care numbers are approaching a mid-November high recorded during France's second wave of the virus, though remain well below the more than 7000 during its initial spring 2020 lockdown.
Doctors warn intensive care units in worse-hit regions could become overwhelmed and many say the government most go beyond partial lockdown measures.
French President Emmanuel Macron this week defended his decision to not impose a third lockdown, but said further restrictions would probably be needed.
- Reuters