France reported 13,498 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the previous 24 hours, setting another record in daily additional infections since the start of the epidemic.
The new cases pushed the cumulative total to 442,194 as the seven-day moving average of daily new infections rose to more than 9,700, compared with a low of 272 at the end of May, two weeks after the lockdown was lifted.
A faster circulation of the virus and a six-fold increase in testing since the government made it free are the two main reasons for the scale of the increase, epidemiologists have said.
The number of people in France who have died from COVID-19 was up by 26 on Saturday at 31,274, a growth significantly lower than registered the previous day.
Health authorities reported a sudden jump in the country’s daily death toll from COVID-19 on Friday because of unreported cases in one hospital near Paris.
More than 953,000 dead
The pandemic has killed at least 953,025 people in the world since emerging in China late last year, according to an AFP tally.
More than 30.5 million people have been infected.
The United States has the most deaths with 198,597, followed by Brazil with 135,793, India with 85,619, Mexico 72,803 and Britain 41,732.
Germany records its highest daily number of new cases since April, with 2,297 new infections, according to the Robert Koch Institute for disease control.
The death toll in Iran from the virus reaches 24,118, the health ministry says, blaming reduced use of face masks by the public.
Since late February, the Islamic Republic has been battling the Middle East's deadliest outbreak of COVID-19 and infections and deaths have been on a rising trajectory this month.
Canada's conservative opposition leader Erin O'Toole tests positive for the virus, his office announces, a day after another federal party leader did too. According to statements both Mr O'Toole and Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet are "feeling well".
Rio de Janeiro says it will authorise football fans to return to stadiums from 4 October, after a six-month hiatus for the pandemic. Fans will be required to wear face masks and undergo temperature checks at the entrance, and ticket sales will be online.
Mayor Marcelo Crivella says the city will allow up to 20,000 fans at the first match, to be played at the legendary Maracana stadium between Flamengo and Athletico Paranaense, but the decision still needs a green light from the Brazilian Football Confederation.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
