The number of patients in intensive care with coronavirus in the neighbouring French Department has risen to 80, close to the peak of 84 reached in April 2020.

With 90 percent of ICU beds in use, the situation is causing disquiet to the French health administration, Santé Publique France.

According to Professor Carole Ichai at the Nice University Hospital, nine out of ten patients in intensive care have not been vaccinated.

Four deaths from coronavirus were reported in the Department on August 22.

Meanwhile, the benchmark infection rate in the Alpes-Maritimes has fallen to 451.7 (on Monday, August 23) from its peak of 656 four weeks ago.

FILE PHOTO: Screenshot from BFMTV