Paris Police Take Over Food Hall To Store Coronavirus Coffins
Sumaira FH Published April 02, 2020 | 10:41 PM
The Paris police department said Thursday that it had requisitioned a hall at a vast fresh food market to store the bodies of coronavirus victims already overwhelming funeral homes
Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Apr, 2020 ) :The Paris police department said Thursday that it had requisitioned a hall at a vast fresh food market to store the bodies of coronavirus victims already overwhelming funeral homes.
Police chief Didier Lallement said officials needed a site large enough to handle "current and anticipated needs" as strains on funeral homes "are likely to persist for several weeks." Two visitation rooms will be set up for families to gather before the coffins are taken to cemeteries or crematoriums, where authorities have limited attendance to 20 people maximum.
The first coffins will begin arriving Friday at the Rungis market site south of the capital, and families will be able to pay their respects starting Monday, Lallement said in a statement.
About a third of the more than 4,000 coronavirus deaths reported in France have occurred in the Paris region, putting intense pressure on hospitals and their staff.
Officials this week began evacuating patients from intensive care units in the wider Paris region to areas of France less affected by the outbreak, hoping to move out a total of 150 people by this weekend, the ARS health agency said.
Hospitals are racing to free up beds as the number of patients in critical condition topped 6,000 on Wednesday, surpassing France's pre-outbreak capacity of 5,000 places in intensive care.
The government aims to have 14,000 intensive care beds available in the coming weeks.
France also reported Wednesday an additional 509 deaths in the previous 24 hours, the highest daily toll so far.
But those figures include only deaths in hospital, and do not yet take into account the scores of deaths that have been reported in retirement homes.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Sub-cabinet committee reviews law, order in Punjab
Notification of confirmed police officers issued
Open courts part of struggle against corruption: ACE DG
Resolving citizens’ complaints top priority of Federal Ombudsman: IO
Government, lender banks conclude PIA’s commercial debt negotiations
Man gets 14 years imprisonment in drugs case
Punjab police accelerate crackdown on drug peddlers
DC reviews meeting, takes action against token tax violations, traffic rules
44 arrested for kite flying in 24 hours
Boao forum for Asia 2024 concludes on successful note
Turkey's Erdogan to hold White House talks with Biden in May
Rana Mashhood appointed chairman PM's Youth Programme
More Stories From World
-
Boao forum for Asia 2024 concludes on successful note
54 minutes ago -
Turkey's Erdogan to hold White House talks with Biden in May
54 minutes ago -
China special team carries out emergency response work with Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: Lin Jian
2 hours ago -
Disinformation targeting Brigitte Macron spreads beyond France
2 hours ago -
Polish president vetoes move to restore access to emergency contraception
3 hours ago -
Turkey's Erdogan braces for tete-a-tete with Biden in May
3 hours ago
-
Ukraine warns power supply under threat amid deadly Russian attacks
3 hours ago -
Leaders Madrid face Athletic in final run towards Liga title
3 hours ago -
Impact of Baltimore port closure on global supply chains
3 hours ago -
Clean energy expo China concluded, showing global green efforts
3 hours ago -
World court orders Israel ensure urgent aid for war-ravaged Gaza
3 hours ago -
Press Release from Business Wire: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC
3 hours ago