Lunchtime news update Tuesday 5th May 2020

Coronavirus cases - 61 new cases of Covid 19 have been reported in the last 24 hours in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur  region. The total number of positive cases now stands at 15,127.

There has been a slight drop in the number of people being admitted to hospital in the PACA region with 1,483 people currently hospitalized.

222 patients are in intensive care with the death toll standing to date at 732. Meanwhile 3,973 people have returned home since the start of the epidemic.

Deconfinement Map - The new provisional deconfinement map, which gives two indicators, the active circulation of the virus and hospital capacities now includes 32 red departments across France, 19 orange and 50 green. The map is updated daily with a definite classification being announced on May 7th.

The green regions will be able to organise from May 11th a wider deconfinement than the others according to criteria established by department.

On May 7th, only two categories will remain - green and red - which will determine the level of relaxation of the lockdown restrictions which have been implemented since March 17.

Cycling lanes in Nice - New cycling lanes have been put in place by the city of Nice ahead of Monday’s end to lockdown. In February, the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, had announced that he wanted to privatise "certain parts of the city to reserve them for cyclists for the duration of one month” from May 11th.

French President Emmanuel Macron is to give a speech at 1pm today - French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to give a speech at 1pm today following his visit to a school in the west of Paris region. Macron met with teachers and mayors to discuss the organization for the return to school in France which is planned progressively from May 11th. Update will be given on Riviera Radio website and 106.5 riviera radio facebook page.

Wife of doctor announces legal action - The wife of Doctor Éric Loupiac, who was one of ten doctors to die from Covid 19 has announced plans to file a complaint against the current French Minister of Health Olivier Véran, the former Minister Agnès Buzyn, the Regional Health Agency of Bourgogne-France-Comté and the director of the hospital in Lons-le-Saunier (Jura) (where her husband practiced as an emergency doctor),  for negligence and endangering the life of others. In an interview with French media Mme Loupiac says she is "convinced that her husband was poorly protected" and wants "public authorities to face their responsibility".

Postal service to resume gradually - The postal service in France plans to reopen all its offices by the end of May. La Poste which reduced its services due to the coronavirus crisis plans to gradually re-establish its rounds on Saturday May  9th and reopen all its offices by the end of the month while at the same time, offering a home mail collection service for vulnerable people.

Screening for cancer - The president of the Cancer League in France has warned of screening delays due to the Covid-19 speaking to French media this morning Axel Kahn alerted the public on deficiencies in the detection of new cases which has been caused by the pandemic.

The scientist called on patients to make an appointment with the specialists adding that "We need to get the message across now as many people remain restrained, due to psychological reasons to go visit a specialist".