France closes 70 schools after number of infections

A week after the French schools partially reopened, there is a “worrying revival” of corona infections linked to schools. According to a minister, this concerns “70 cases”, after which the schools involved had to immediately close the doors again.

French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer rang the bell today in a radio interview with RTL, AP news agency reports. He said the opening of the schools endangers some children. Because the incubation period is several days to about two weeks, the chances are that the infections have already taken place before the reopening of the schools. He did not explain whether the infected persons were pupils or teachers.

A week ago, a third of French children returned to school. About 40,000 nursery and primary schools opened their doors, for a maximum of fifteen students per class. As of today, another 150,000 high school students will be allowed back into the school desks in areas where the outbreak is under control. Secondary schools remain closed in Paris.

France has at least 142,411 infections and 28,108 coronavirus deaths.