France has surpassed 200 COVID-19 cases, prompting comments from President Emmanuel Macron. The nation now ranks as Europe's second major outbreak center after Italy. In Iran, surging fatalities fuel concerns about a possible virus mutation.
As reported by Ouest-France, France recorded 212 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4 deaths by the evening of March 3. Cases doubled in just three days, up from only 12 a week earlier. France has emerged as one of Europe's primary new infection hotspots, alongside Italy where conditions are increasingly dire.
Visiting the Ministry of Health's crisis center, President Macron described "a phase that will last weeks, even months." He stressed the need to first contain, then combat the virus, calling for sustained national mobilization while affirming, "we are ready." On March 4, he will chair a Special Defense Council meeting ahead of the Council of Ministers.
Iran reports 2,336 confirmed cases and 77 deaths, the highest fatalities outside China and third-highest cases globally after China and South Korea. The mortality rate stands at 5.5%, down from 12% days ago, far exceeding the typical 2-3% range.
According to L'Express, some local doctors suspect underreported deaths. Alarm centers on a potential COVID-19 mutation creating a more virulent strain. For instance, a fit 50-year-old man with no prior conditions rapidly declined and died, with physicians linking it to coronavirus-induced myocarditis, or heart muscle inflammation.
The South China Morning Post tallies 92,260 cases, 3,135 deaths, and 48,002 recoveries worldwide. China's outbreak is officially receding, but authorities fear imported cases as citizens return from Italy—the continent's initial epicenter with 2,036 cases and 52 deaths.
South Korea, once the top hotspot after China, reports 5,186 cases and 31 deaths, with cases still rising. Japan has 284 cases plus 706 on the Diamond Princess ship. Other nations face escalation: Germany (196 cases), Spain (150 cases, 1 death), and the U.S. (108 cases, 9 deaths).
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