France reports huge spike in coronavirus deaths, raising total to 264

French health authorities reported 89 new deaths from coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total to 264 or an increase of almost 51%, a much more marked rise than recently seen as the country was in its second day of a lockdown aimed at containing the outbreak.

During a press conference, health agency director Jerome Salomon added the number of cases had risen to 9,134, up from 7,730 on Tuesday, which is a rise of 18% in 24 hours.

Salomon said 931 people were in a serious condition, needing life support. (Reporting Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Chris Reese)