Coronavirus: France records 23,000 cases in last 24 hours

France recorded 22,591 cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, official figures show. It brings the total number of cases to 779,063.

One hundred and four deaths were recorded in 24 hours.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, the death toll in France stands at 33,037.

The number of people in hospital due to Covid-19 increased by 245 to 9,194. The number of Covid-19 patients increased from 31 to 1,673 in the intensive care units.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a live TV interview broadcast tonight (Wednesday October 14) that "we haven't lost control", but admitted the situation is "worrying".

"We are in what has often been called the second wave," he said.

During the interview, Mr Macron announced the introduction of curfew measures for nine cities around the country, to come into effect from Saturday (October 17).

Just before his interview, the government announced a state of health emergency to cope with the pandemic.