- Title: Macron says COVID-19 epidemic is serious in overseas territories
- Date: 11th August 2021
- Summary: SAINT-PIERRE, MARTINIQUE, FRANCE (FILE - SEPTEMBER 27, 2018) (AGENCY POOL) RESIDENTS WAITING AT STREET, IN THE RAIN, DURING A VISIT BY MACRON VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM GOYAVE, GUADELOUPE, FRANCE (FILE - SEPTEMBER 28, 2018) (AGENCY POOL) SEA VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WITH FRENCH FLAGS, STANDING AT HARBOUR
- Embargoed: 25th August 2021 11:33
- Keywords: France Guadeloupe Macron Martinique coronavirus overseas territories vaccination
- Location: NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE/ BREGANCON FORT, BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS / SAINT-PIERRE, MARTINIQUE / GOYAVE, GUADELOUPE
- City: NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE/ BREGANCON FORT, BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS / SAINT-PIERRE, MARTINIQUE / GOYAVE, GUADELOUPE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA002EPU64W7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday (August 11) that France's overseas territories, in particular the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, were being hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic.
"The situation is dramatic," Macron said as he opened a virtual meeting with his senior cabinet ministers to discuss the epidemic.
Macron said the vaccination rate in the West Indies is at 20%, compared to 63% in mainland France.
The French health ministry said 240 health workers flew to Martinique and Guadeloupe, to reinforce local staff as COVID-19 infections overwhelm hospitals on the two Caribbean islands.
Health Minister Olivier Veran, who has appealed for volunteer doctors and nurses, will travel to the territories at the end of this week, the ministry also said in a statement.
Martinique entered a tougher lockdown for three weeks from Tuesday (August 10) to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, a local government official said.
Guadeloupe and France's island of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean have also imposed curbs against the virus.
Macron said the government's nationwide objective was to vaccinate all eligible people in France. He said the campaign will be intensified when classes resume in September and vaccination spots will be opened in high schools.
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