This marks France's biggest jump in deaths since the start of the pandemicFrance has reported its darkest day yet with a record 499 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, taking the country's total death toll to 3,523. France has entered its 5th day of a strict lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. In neighbouring Piedmont, on the other hand, the daily death toll of 105 was up sharply from the day before. Italy's largest daily toll from the five-week-old epidemic was registered on Friday, when 919 people died. Speaking at the weekend, he said the average Italian coronavirus patient is now infecting just over one person with the virus.

Source: Daily Mail March 31, 2020 18:13 UTC