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HEALTH

Coronavirus death toll in France passes 7,500 as rate of intensive care admissions slows

The number of victims of the coronavirus epidemic in France has risen to 7,560, French health chiefs announced on Saturday, after hospitals and elderly care homes reported hundreds more fatalities. On a more positive note the rate of patients being admitted to intensive care units continued to slow.

Published: 4 April 2020 20:29 CEST
Coronavirus death toll in France passes 7,500 as rate of intensive care admissions slows
Medical staff prepares for the arrival by helicopter of patients infected with COVID-19 at the Nimes air base, south of France, on April 4, 2020. AFP

The death toll includes a further 441 deaths reported in French hospitals in the last 24 hours – less than the record 588 reported on Friday, as well as several hundred more in France's elderly care homes known as Ehpads.

On Saturday evening French health chief Jérôme Salomon announced that the death toll in nursing homes had risen to 2,028. That number had risen from 1,416 on Friday after additional reports from Ehpad homes across the country. 

With 5,532 deaths in hospitals and 2,028 in care homes for the elderly, the overall death toll in France increased by around 1,000 since Friday's reported total.

On Saturday there were 28,143 patients being treated for coronavirus in hospitals across France.

The one positive note was the indication that the number of patients being admitted to intensive care units in French hospitals was slowing.

With 6,838 patients in a serious condition France has never had so many patients in intensive care, said Salomon but he confirmed the numbers were rising by less each day.

The number of patients in intensive care increased by 176 on Saturday, compared to 263 on Friday, 382 on Thursday and 452 on Wednesday.

Some 105 intensive care patients were under the age of 30.

'Stay at home to save lives'

One of the regions which has been hit hard by the epidemic is the greater Paris region of Île-de-France.

Antoine Vieillard-Baron, head of intensive care at the Ambroise-Paré hospital in Paris told BFM TV that the region had seen fewer admissions to intensive care units in the last 24 hours than in previous days.

The regional health authority said the number had risen by 3 percent compared to over 10 percent in recent days.

Some 15,000 patients had also returned home from hospitals across France after recovering from the virus.

Despite the apparent slowing of the rate of intensive care admissions – a key indicator of the progression of the virus according to French health chiefs – Salomon called for “prudence”.

He stressed that the numbers were still rising, albeit at a slower rate. There were signs of hope from neighbouring Italy on Saturday when health chiefs reported that for the first time the number of patients in intensive care actually dropped since the beginning the epidemic.

Salomon said that “now is not the time to let our guard down”.

“I tell you this evening: Stay at home to save lives.”

The health chief added that “France was now entering a period whereby we can assess the impact of confinement.”

France has been in lockdown since March 17 in a bid to slow the spread of the epidemic, with only essential trips allowed that must be justified with a signed piece of paper.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is completely unprecedented with thousands of serious cases and thousands of deaths,” Salomon said.

 

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LIVING IN FRANCE

What is France’s ‘citizen service’ and who has to do it?

Although France no longer has compulsory military service, there is still a requirement for a 'citizen service' known as the JDC - and for most younger people this is compulsory, including young foreigners who take French citizenship.

Published: 24 May 2024 17:11 CEST
What is France's 'citizen service' and who has to do it?

France scrapped compulsory military service in 1997 so its teenagers are no longer required to do 10 months of square-bashing, boot polishing and cross country runs.

They are, however, required to do the Journée défense et citoyenneté (JDC) in most cases – although this at least has the benefit of being just a single day.

What is it? 

The JDC is basically a one-day course or learning exercise about your rights and responsibilities as a citizen of France.

You will receive teaching on three main areas;

  • The general issues and objectives of national defence, and on the different forms of commitment required from citizens. This part of the course is usually taught by members of the French military
  • Civics lessons – similar to those given in French schools – based on the Charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français (Charter of rights and duties of French citizens)
  • Information on equality between men and women, on the fight against sexist prejudice and on the fight against physical, psychological or sexual violence committed within the couple

You will also be given a brief test on your knowledge of the French language. This is for everyone, not just foreigners, and language learners can feel comforted by the fact that plenty of native French people also struggle with the intricacies of their language.

You do not have to pass any kind of exam on the contents of the citizenship course – more on the curriculum here.

The course usually lasts seven and a half hours – basically a standard working day.

Who has to do it?

There are two things that young people in France must do – the recensement citoyen (citizen census) and then, in most cases, the JDC.

The recensement citoyen is compulsory for;

  • Any French citizens who are turning 16 – they must complete the registration within three months of their 16th birthday.
  • Anyone who gains French nationality between the ages of 16 and 25 – they must sign up within a month of getting their citizenship.

It is not required for people older than 25 who gain French citizenship, neither is it required for non-French citizens – even if they are long-term residents in France.

People who fail to complete the recensement citoyen when required cannot be inscribed onto the electoral rolls (and therefore cannot vote), while the certificate of completion is also usually required to enrol for French public exams or administrative exams (eg professional qualifications).

Once you have completed the census, you will then receive notice for the one-day citizenship course (JDC). This is compulsory for most people, although there are exceptions for people who have a disability or a long-term illness.

How do you do it?

First off, the recensement citoyen can be done either online or in person, if you choose the online option it is done at the local mairie.

It’s a relatively simple sign-up process and then you receive the attestation de recensement, which will be required for registering for exams. Once you have completed this, you will automatically be added to the electoral roll once you reach the age of 18.

Once this is completed, you will then receive a convocation (summons) to your one-day JDC. The letter will provide details of how and where to do the course, as well as the options to appeal if you believe you are exempt on the grounds of illness or disability.

It also gives you an autorisation d’absence exceptionnelle – authorisation of absence, which you present to your employer if you are working or an apprentice. They are then legally obliged to give you the day off to attend.

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