France has hit a record for daily coronavirus infections, with 26,896 positive cases diagnosed in 24 hours, up from the previous day's figure of 20,339 which had also been a record high.
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Official daily figures on Saturday also showed 54 more deaths, taking the country's total COVID-19 death toll since the beginning of March to 32,684.
The latest figures came as authorities closed bars in Lyon, Lille, Grenoble and Saint Etienne, which are now officially on "maximum alert".
Restaurants in the maximum alert areas are also subject to strict health measures, including a limit of six guests per table who must remain masked until their food is placed in front of them.
Paris has already been on maximum alert since Tuesday and Marseille since late last month, although Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Thursday the situation was improving in the southern city and he hoped to be able to downgrade its alert level next week.
France was one of the European countries hardest hit by the first wave of the virus and underwent a strict 55-day lockdown from mid-March to mid-May.
Australian Associated Press
