France Reports 9th Omicron Case Across 5 Mainland Administrative Regions...

On the 2nd (local time), in front of the Tuileries Garden in Paris, France, a notice stating that masks must be worn inside the Christmas market is posted.

The number of confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' in France has increased to nine.

On the 3rd (local time), the French Ministry of Health announced that a total of nine Omicron variant cases were confirmed across mainland France and overseas territories, according to France Info Radio and others.

Omicron variant cases were reported evenly across five regions in mainland France: Auvergne-Rh?ne-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-C?te d'Azur, ?le-de-France, Pays de la Loire, Grand Est, as well as in the overseas territory of R?union.

The Public Health Agency (SPF) explained, "So far, most of the Omicron variant cases have come from South Africa," and added, "Local authorities are closely monitoring people who have been in contact with confirmed cases."

Among those confirmed with the Omicron variant in France, some were unvaccinated, while others had completed their vaccination.

In France, with a population of about 68 million, new daily COVID-19 cases approached 50,000 for three consecutive days: 47,177 on November 30, 49,610 on December 1, and 48,416 on December 2.

Olivier V?ran, the Minister of Health, said in an interview with France Info Radio on the same day that COVID-19 cases are expected to peak in January next year.

Minister V?ran stated, "The virus is spreading very rapidly," and "It is having a significant impact on the healthcare system."

France ranks seventh worldwide with a cumulative total of 7,773,530 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and twelfth in the world with 119,330 cumulative deaths.

As of December 1, 75.5% of the entire population in France has completed COVID-19 vaccination, and since November 27, all adults aged 18 and over have been eligible for booster shots.