France French Health Minister on virus situation in France

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Thursday that the virus was very active again in France and had "never stopped spreading". Speaking during a briefing in Paris, he said the infection rate among 15 to 44-year-olds had risen significantly with half of the cases being asymptomatic.

He also warned the virus was spreading "more and more" in those older than 65 and this had been the case since August. Despite the increase, the minister said the country was "sufficiently prepared" to take on the fight against the virus. Veran also dismissed claims that the World Health Organization was critical of France's latest plans to reduce the duration of quarantine from 14 to seven days. More than 30,000 people with the virus have died in France, including more than 10,000 in nursing homes.