As France edges toward lockdown with stricter measures, Italy faces mounting fatalities. Data suggests France and Spain are tracking Italy's infection curve. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency.
President Emmanuel Macron's March 12, 2020 address stopped short of declaring stage 3 of the COVID-19 epidemic. Yet a Paris physician urged full quarantine amid tightening restrictions. By March 13 evening, France reported 3,667 confirmed cases and 79 deaths—nearly 1,000 new cases and 20 additional deaths.
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, as noted by RTL, banned gatherings of more than 100 people nationwide. Bas-Rhin went further, prohibiting events over 50. This follows the nationwide closure of nurseries and schools.
Under quarantine for nearly a week, Italy's crisis deepens with 1,266 deaths among 17,660 confirmed cases, making it the second-hardest-hit nation. The country recorded a grim new high of 250 deaths in one day.
France Info reports 70% of victims are men, averaging over 80 years old. While elderly men dominate, the virus strikes younger, healthy people too.
Following a European travel ban, President Trump declared a U.S. emergency on March 13, per Liberation. Once criticized for downplaying the threat, he now aims to "unleash the full force of federal resources" in partnership with private sectors to ramp up COVID-19 testing.
The U.S. had 1,681 cases and 41 deaths, ranking 8th globally—behind Iran (11,364 cases/514 deaths), South Korea (8,086/72), and Spain (5,232/133). Worldwide: 145,297 cases (+10,000 in 24h), 5,412 deaths (+427), 72,497 recoveries.
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