Coronavirus in France, the situation on Friday March 5, 2021

Discover the situation in France as for the Covid-19 epidemic on Friday March 5, 2021. Where is the Covid-19 epidemic at in France? According to the latest report, 293 people died, and 25,279 new cases have been reported. Discover the latest measures announced following Jean Castex's conference, restrictions set up, the latest news about the vaccination campaign, therapies and the latest overall data.

Here is the live situation in France as of Friday March 5, 2021 as for the Covid-19 pandemic. Restrictions, cancelations, schools, aids, and other measures, here are the latest news and the main news to retain.

Found out more below the main news.

Main news:

Coronavirus in France as of March 4: 293 Covid deaths, and 25,279 new cases
Here are the latest data as for the Covid-19 epidemic in France. According to Santé Publique France’s latest data, France reports 293 extra hospital deaths in 24h. This Thursday March 4, 2021, the death toll includes 87,835 deaths, and 25,279 new cases have been reported in 24h.

Covid: Jean Castex's statements - Thursday March 4, 2021
A new press brief has been held this Thursday March 4, 2021 at 6 p.m.: Jean Castex and his government presented the latest measures and governmental decisions as for the health crisis. 3 departments, namely Hautes-Alpes, Aisne, and Aube, are placed under strengthened surveillance. Furthermore, the weekend lockdown solution is extended - starting Friday March 5 - to Pas-de-Calais.

Local lockdown: 23 departments under surveillance
In order to stop the spread of Covid in France, the government seems to go for new but local lockdowns. This Thursday March 4, 23 departments are placed under strengthened surveillance, and Jean Castex asked prefects from the departments in question to reinforce health measure controls, especially for curfew.

Covid in France: vaccination campaign schedule per age range
As the fight against Covid goes on in France, the vaccination schedule also changes along with the delivery of vaccine doses in the country, as well as with the approvals granted by the European Medicines Agency. Take a stock on the schedule and key dates of the French vaccination campaign.

Coronavirus: no weekend lockdown in Paris and Île-de-France, but new restrictions
The coronavirus epidemic is escalating in Île-de-France. The entire region has been placed under strengthened surveillance and March 6 seems to be a decisive date. This Thursday March 4, 2021, Prime Minister Jean Castex confirms that Paris and Île-de-France are not to be placed under weekend lockdown for the time being.

Covid: towards another lockdown? "Everything is on the table", Gabriel Attal's latest statements
Are more departments to be added to those already under weekend lockdown? This Wednesday March 3, 2021 government spokesman Gabriel Attal gives an update following the executive meetings. Even though he speaks of easing measures off by an "always closer future, by mid-April", he says the government is ready to make "all necessary measures if need be". As for the ultimate decision, he asks to wait until "tomorrow's press conference".

Curfew from 6 p.m. in France: how long for? Emmanuel Macron gives an estimation
The French have swapped lockdown for curfew since mid-December. First set up between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the measure is pulled forward to 6 p.m. in mainland France starting this Saturday January 16, 2021... But how long for? This Monday March 1, Emmanuel Macron gave a new estimation.

Covid-19: The highest risk places of infections? Schools and places of worship brought into question
Where are people the most infected with Covid-19? A question Institut Pasteur's latest ComCor study tried to answer to, so has a German study bringing more details about places of worship and schools.

Coronavirus in France: “Our efforts begin to pay off” Jérôme Salomon says
Is France gaining control over the coronavirus epidemic again? France’s Health director general Jérôme Salomon says so during his press brief held on Tuesday November 17, 2020: “our efforts begin to pay off”.

Coronavirus in the world as of Friday March 5, 2021: latest case and death tolls in 24h per country
The whole world has been facing the unprecedented coronavirus health crisis almost a year now. Over 115 million coronavirus cases have been reported and over 2.5 million people have died of Covid-19 worldwide. Discover the toll in countries and the evolution around the world as of Friday March 5, 2021. Greece extends lockdown to March 16. China is to generalize anal tests for foreign travelers. Italy closes all schools in red area. The EU Commission prepares a vaccination passport project. Finland activates state of lockdown to strengthen restrictions. Germany lists Moselle as maximum risk area. WHO announces the world's new case toll is increasing for the first time in 7 weeks. Vaccine will not be enough to prevent a hospitalization peak in March in France. The UK is progressively exiting lockdown from March 8. In Argentina, schools reopen after being closed for 11 months. Israel experiments "at-home" isolation with electronic tag.

Coronavirus in Paris and île-de-France as of Friday March 5, 2021
Discover the latest news regarding the coronavirus pandemic in Paris and Ile-de-France. As of Friday March 5, 2021, we have a look on the news in Paris and its surroundings, the restrictions and the evolution of the disease. What is the coronavirus situation like in the Parisian area? We tell you more on the restrictions, supports, and measures implemented in the area.

Coronavirus: alarming Covid symptoms and test
The coronavirus epidemic is hitting France, and if you have any doubts about the symptoms of this virus, here is everything you need to know and do in case of contamination if you happen to be in France.

Latest News:

Covid: pharmacists allowed to inoculate AstraZeneca vaccine from mid-March
Good news amid the fight against Covid! This Thursday March 4, at a press brief, Jean Castex said pharmacists are allowed to vaccinate people aged 50 to 64 suffering from comorbidities from March 15, after the next vaccine orders are shipped to the country. A decree is expected to be released soon.

Covid: “the coming weeks are going to be difficult”, Castex warns
As Covid-19 variants keep on spreading at top speed in France, this Tuesday March 2, 2021, Prime Minister Jean Castex suggested the country was not close to exiting the crisis. Even though he guarantees “the horizon will brighten”, the head of government is warning the country: the “coming weeks are going to be difficult”.

Covid: Macron considers instating a “health pass” for restaurants and cultural places
Is France to soon instate a “health pass” for cultural places and restaurants? The idea has been raised by Emmanuel Macron this February 25 during the first day of video-conference with the 27 EU leaders.

Covid: WHO does not recommend hydroxychloroquine as a preventive drug against the disease
This Tuesday March 2, WHO announced in a memo released in the British Medical Journal that Hydroxychloroquine was not recommended as a preventive drug against Covid, relying on six randomized clinical trials, results have shown the inefficiency of the product to fight against severe coronavirus. In addition to those studies, a study carried out by Epi-phare, lead to the same conclusion.

2021 Summer Festivals: festivals to be limited to 5,000 seated festivalgoers and in the open air
As better days are coming, many people are wondering if this summer’s major festivals will take place as scheduled or not. Following a new meeting with festival promotors, minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot said open air festivals will only be allowed with maximum 5,000 festivalgoers. Furthermore, festivalgoers will have to be seated. Here is more on the matter.

Covid: when are things to get back to normal in France?
The coronavirus epidemic that has changed the world broke out almost a year ago in France. Many French are now exhausted and depressed. When will things go back to normal? When will cultural places reopen? How long are facemasks compulsory for? Keep reading to find out more.

AstraZeneca vaccine now approved in France for people aged 65-74
After being recommended this past February 10 by WHO for people aged 65+, AstraZeneca vaccine has also been approved in France for people between the age of 65 and 75. This is what Olivier Véran announced on Monday March 1, 2021 on France 2, during an interview.

Coronavirus: Is it dangerous to vaccinate people who have been already infected by the virus?
Is it dangerous to get vaccinated against Covid if you have been infected already? As France is in the middle of the vaccination campaign, this Saturday December 19, 2020 the Haute Autorité de Santé issued a release. It addresses the usefulness issue of having people already infected with coronavirus vaccinated. An issue addressed again this Monday March 1, 2021 by INSERM head of research Béhazine Combadière.

Covid: 50,000 daily cases by mid-March in France? Projections from Lille University Hospital
The UK Covid variant keeps on spreading across France. According to Scientific Committee member Pr. Fontanet, "if we go on this way" then the UK variant "will become dominant from circa March 1" in the country. Furthermore, hospitals are urged to move to "crisis organization". Lille University Hospital experts project likely boom in new cases by mid-March for the coming weeks. By March 20, there could be up to 50,000 new PCR+ cases per day.

Local lockdown: trips between regions banned over the weekend
The verdict has been given: faced with the threats of variants and the increase in cases, some areas in France are experiencing a new local lockdown over the weekend. It means the French will have to stay home, excluding any derogatory trip. What about trips between regions?

Vaccination, hospitals under pressure: Olivier Véran's Thursday February 25 update
On the occasion of a press brief held this Thursday February 25, French Health Minister Olivier Véran addressed the vaccination situation in France and its evolution.

Covid: EU to propose vaccine passport project in March
European countries are willing to introduce vaccine passports as soon as possible to allow free movement of people given two shots of vaccine. This topic has Europe divided. But European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Europe is to propose vaccine passport project in March.

Jean Castex's latest press brief: the UK coronavirus variant found in over half of cases
As the coronavirus epidemic keeps on spreading in France, the Prime Minister addressed the situation. He says the UK coronavirus variant may be found in over 50% of coronavirus cases in the country.

Covid: will vaccination be enough to prevent a leap forward in hospitalizations in France?
According to a new study carried out by Institut Pasteur, Covid-19 vaccination campaign in France will not be enough – on its own – to prevent a leap forward in hospitalization. Let us explain.

Covid: 17% of people aged 20+ have been contaminated in France, Institut Pasteur says
Institut Pasteur releases a study on the share of the population that has been infected with Covid-19 since the virus broke out in mainland France. From these data on the number of people hospitalized per region and age range, 17% of adults aged 20+ are said to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Covid: Janssen vaccine to arrive in May, with one month delay
The Health Minister has announced Janssen Covid vaccine – aka Johnson & Johnson subsidiary – will arrive in France later than expected, in May 2021 instead of April. A vaccine still waiting to be approved by the European Medicines Agency.

Covid: France’s contamination rate among the highest in Europe
The latest data are worrying. reporting around 20,100 new cases per day, France now displays one of the highest contamination rates in Europe.

Covid: vaccines effective from the first shot, a Scottish study finds
According to a wide study carried out in Scotland, Covid vaccines developed by Pfizer and AstraZeneca dramatically decrease risk of severe Covid from the first shot.

Covid: is lockdown a restriction that grew obsolete?
As the Covid-19 and its latest mutation epidemic continues to spread all over the world, especially in France, where measures are to be made harder, Scientific Committee member Franck Chauvin considers the notion of a “lockdown” is no longer legitimate in the health dialect to fight against the spread of the virus.

Covid: France to test monoclonal antibody therapy
France is to soon test monoclonal antibody therapy in hospitals. This is what announced French Health Minister Olivier Véran this past February 25 during his latest press brief. According to the first scientific reports, this therapy helps high-risk patients prevent severe evolution of the disease.

Covid: Pharma & Beauty nasal spray not to be issued
This Monday February 22, the ANSM announced Covid nasal spray designed by Pharma & Beauty laboratory - COV-Defense - marketing authorization will not be delivered. Why? The French controler has still not received scientific data enabling to assess effectiveness against the virus. For the record, in France, two scientific teams are neck and neck to develop a nasal spray Covid “vaccine” easy to use and rather cheap.

Covid: Macron wishes to send 4 to 5% of wealthy countries’ vaccines to Africa
As part of the G7, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would like to support Africa and proposed to transfer 4 to 5% of Covid vaccines ordered by wealthy countries to Africa, namely 13 million doses. An idea supported by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Coronavirus: what are the rules of a lockdown in France?
As some French are back into lockdown to try and stop the third wave and the spread of Covid variants, we are wondering what is allowed or not during this restrictive period. So, what can you do and cannot during lockdown in France?

Coronavirus: 1,700 intermediaries hired to perform saliva tests in schools
As France is faced with the threat of coronavirus variants, as soon as the winter school break ends, saliva tests are to be deployed in schools to tests the youngest more easily. This March 2, 2021, Jean-Michel Blanquer announced 1,700 intermediaries will be hired to help health providers perform tests.

Covid: UK variant found in circa 45% cases in Paris and Île-de-France
Covid-19 UK variant is now set in Paris and Île-de-France. According to AP-HP director Martin Hirsch, the UK mutation now represents about 45% positive cases in the Ile-de-France area.

Covid: test-matches with crowds soon to take place in stadiums, Maracineanu affirms
This Friday February 19, 2021, French Minister of Sports affirmed the government is willing to test the return of crowds in stadiums with test-matches with a limited gauge. The goal is to reinforce health protocols to enable the progressive reopening of stadiums and the sporting world.

Coronavirus: Is curfew from 6 p.m. effective? More about the latest data
The coronavirus epidemic keeps on spreading in France and despite curfew from 6 p.m., another lockdown is more and more dreaded. Can it be prevented? It depends on the effectiveness of nationwide curfew that has been assessed. Here is what the latest data from Santé Publique France says.

Coronavirus: positive cases' quarantine enhanced to 10 days
During the press brief held on January 18, 2021, Health Minister Olivier Véran announced positive cases' quarantine is to be enhanced: it moves from 7 to 10 days.

Covid: a new variant found in the United-Kingdom has scientists worried
And what if a new Covid variant was making trouble in vaccination campaigns around the world…? In a report from the University of Edinburgh – released this Wednesday February 17 – scientists have said this new strain of the virus – similar to the already known UK variant – has been found in December in many countries, France included.

Covid: the epidemic not likely to end before the summer 2022, epidemiologist Didier Pittet assumes
When will the Coronavirus epidemic end? According to epidemiologist Didier Pittet, it is only starting the summer 2022 that “everything will be much easier”, adding the coming two months will be very tricky.

Curfew: to be eased off after the school break? What doctors have to say
Curfew has been pulled forward to 6 p.m. since January 14, 2021 in mainland France. Even though the Covid-19 epidemic curve in French keeps on stagnating, and even started to decrease over the past few days, the government might decide to soften restrictions implemented by the end of the school break, namely early March 2021, epidemiologist Martin Balchier says. Yet, the threat of variants remains highly preoccupying.

Macron allows himself "8 to 10 days" before easing off restrictions or not past the Winter break
As many people fear a 3rd lockdon in the coming days or weeks, FranceInfo said earlier this week the government is not considering additional restrictions by the end of the Winter break. Moreover, Emmanuel Macron is said to have stated during a video-conference with parliamentarians that he allows himself "8 to 10 days" before making new decisions. These decisions are to be related to measures likely to be implemented from early March 2021.

Covid: hospitals urged to move to “crisis organization”
In order to face a likely “new epidemic wave”, the Health Minister urged hospitals to move by February 18 to “crisis organization”. This is what Journal du Dimanche said this February 14. Here is more on the matter.

Covid: Pfizer vaccine is 94% effective according a study carried out in a million Israelis
Pfizer and Biontech’s vaccine against coronavirus is said to be 94% effective according to a new study carried out by Clalit, Israel's main healthcare provider, carried out in a million Israelis given the product. A similar result to the ones from the complete study published by the American laboratory that said the vaccine was 95% effective.

New health protocol in schools: closing depending on variant, masks and distancing
As coronavirus keeps on spreading throughout France and the threat of new variants puts more and more pressure on the government that wishes to prevent a new lockdown at all costs, the health protocol in school poses a challenge. Since Friday February 12, closing classes now depends on Covid variant. This modification makes the rules implemented even more bewildering, as they also include types of masks allowed and distancing in canteens. Here are the latest measures.

Covid: is coronavirus-free life possible if France implements stricter measures?
Do we really have to learn how to “live with Covid-19”? Experts are willing to learn something from countries that control the pandemic the best to set up a “zero Covid” strategy. Their goal: getting life as it was back as soon as possible.

Covid: shopping malls and department stores are wondering when they will be allowed to reopen
In order to curb the coronavirus epidemic in the country, French Prime Minister has decided to close all non-food shopping malls and department centers from January 31. This February 17, retailers’ federations are asking for more visibility with a reopening calendar, for instance.

Covid: Paris public transit to test virus-destroying fabric
A French SMB has come up with an anti-microorganism and self-cleaning fabric likely to destroy virus when exposed to light. This product has been set in some public transit in the Paris area.

Covid: Johnson & Johnson vaccine approved by the USA, and soon by the European Medicines Agency
This Saturday February 27, 2021, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The approval follows after the laboratory confirmed, in an official document made public this Wednesday February 24, the effectiveness of the single-dose Covid vaccine by Johnson & Johnson on severe diseases. The vaccine has sought approval in the USA and in the European Union as well.

Covid: sniffer dogs soon to be used in Île-de-France to detect coronavirus?
What if sniffer dogs were the solution to help and detect Covid-19 positive cases? The Île-de-France region intends to launch an experiment this Wednesday February 17, 2021 in several Île-de-France areas. Here is more on the matter.

Covid: Orly airport to close its Terminal 4
Because of border restrictions, Paris Orly airport closes its terminal 4 until further notice. For the record, the terminal has been shut already back in November and December 2020.

Covid: Sanofi’s second vaccine not to be ready in 2021
After announcing likely delay in the marketing of their Covid vaccine developed with GSK, Sanofi announced this Sunday February 14 that their second vaccine – developed in partnership with American biotech Translate Bio – is not likely to be ready in 2021. The announcement has been made by French pharmaceutical group director general Paul Hudson in an interview with JDD.

Coronavirus: experimental reopening of museums, movie theaters, and theaters?
Could cultural life return earlier than expected despite the health crisis? The France Urbaine organization states that main cities are willing to try and experimentally reopen museums, theaters and movie theaters. The city of Lyon is already experimenting partial reopening of restaurants.

Coronavirus vaccine: Moderna to increase doses per vial
As vaccination campaigns have been initiated worldwide, Moderna is in talks to increase by 50% vaccine doses per vial, so that they can move from 10 to 15 doses of vaccine per vial.

Coronavirus, the threat of variants: everything you need to know
As vaccine campaigns have debuted all over the world, new coronavirus variants have been found in the United-Kingdom, in South Africa and in Brazil, making the authorities worried. Here is the latest news on the matter.

Coronavirus: saliva tests in schools given the green light
The French National Authority for Health has found saliva RT-PCR test sensitivity satisfactory. These less invasive tests could be deployed in France by the end of the winter break in order to test pupils in schools more easily.

South-African Covid variant: first case of severe reinfection in France
This Friday February 12, the AP-HP has reported a first case of Covid reinfection – by South-African variant – has been found in France. A 58-year-old male contracted the virus in September 2020 and has been contaminated again in January. The man developed severe disease when contaminated for the second time.

Covid: the government ready to decide on local lockdown, Gabriel Attal says
Interview this morning, government spokesman Gabriel Attal announced the government was ready to instate local-based lockdown given the health situation in Moselle as the new case toll infected with the SA variant skyrockets.

New lockdown: “no prediction but we will take responsibility” Olivier Véran warns
As Covid-19 variants spread in France has the health authorities still as worried, Health Minister confirmed during the weekly press brief that a new lockdown is still possible in the event the epidemic markers happen to deteriorate even more.

Covid: museums to provide charged digital tours to revive their activities
Months of closure and almost empty cash registers: the health and economic crisis has left museums at sea. To find new sources of income, some of them are trying to launch charged digital tours.

Covid: one dose of vaccine is said to be enough for people who have been already infected by the virus
In a report given to the government this Friday February 12, the French Haute Autorité de Santé has stated that people who have been already infected by Covid will only get one, and only one, dose of vaccine, for those given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The reason? These people – who have been infected already – have then already develop antibodies and only one injection is said to protect them as much, and even more than those given two doses if they have not been infected before.

Tocilizumab, the covid treatment to dramatically reduce deaths, Recovery says
This Thursday February 11, the Oxford University released the results of Recovery clinical trial on Tocilizumab, a medication generally used in rheumatology, but here, it is used to lower the number of Covid patients in ICU. And results are particularly encouraging, echoing the study led in April 2020 by AP-HP. Here is more on the matter.

Covid: does extreme cold curb the spread of the virus?
Does extreme cold France has been experiencing over the past couple of days curb the spread of Covid-19? As we know cold improves the spread of the virus, things are different when temperatures drop below 0°C. Here is more on the matter.

Coronavirus: are plasma transfusions effective against the disease?
Is plasma transfusion an effective solution against Covid? This is one of the ongoing study topic as to cure coronavirus and it seems to deliver rather mixed results, despite an encouraging Chinese study released in April 2020. Here is more on the matter.

Covid: the SARS-CoV-2 virus was already spreading in France in November 2019, a study says
A study released this Wednesday February 10, 2021 by scientists says that patients suffering from severe pneumopathies hospitalized in November 2019 may have been carrying SARS-CoV-2. These results go against the scenario the epidemic broke out in December 2019 in a Chinese market in Wuhan.

Covid: Can France really prevent a third lockdown?
Yesterday, French Health Minister said it was still possible for France to prevent another lockdown. This February, government spokesman Gabriel Attal confirmed the saying stating “there is a way to prevent lockdown”. Therefore, can France really prevent a third strict lockdown? Here are some possible answers.

Impacts of lockdown and curfew on one’s mental health
At the time of Covid-19-related health and economic crisis, announcing new restrictions such as curfew or lockdown have unfortunately grown ordinary. Yet, doctors and psychologists assure both scenarios to fight against the spread of the virus do not have the same impact on one’s psychology. Deciphering.

Covid: who and when can one get a vaccine?
Despite the details of the mass Covid vaccine campaign and the different steps explained by Jean Castex and Olivier Véran a few weeks ago, you still do not know which group you belong to? What step you are part of? How to know if you can get a vaccine? Here are answers.

Covid: Roselyne Bachelot wants no vaccine passport to enjoy cultural places
As the government is trying to reopen museums soon, Roselyne Bachelot has stood out against instating a vaccine passport for people to enjoy cultural places.

Covid: Pfizer vaccine effective against all mutations of the virus
Pfizer covid vaccine is effective against UK, South-African and Brazilian variants... This is what says a new study conducted in vitro and released this late January in Nature Medicine. A few days earlier, on January 19, another study yet epxlained the contrary when it came to the South-African variant. Here is more on the matter.

Curfew: “no special treatment” for vacationers arriving past 6 p.m.
As the winter break has started for Zone A, ministry of the interior spokeswoman Camille Chaize said on February 7 on Europe 1 there will be “no special treatment” for vacation departures. Therefore, vacationers who will drive to destination must comply with curfew instated and make it before 6 p.m.

Coronavirus: museums to reopen earlier than expected in France?
Are museums to reopen earlier than expected? This Thursday February 4, 2021 Prime Minister Jean Castex said Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot was currently working on an anticipated reopening of circulating cultural places.