France reports huge spike in coronavirus deaths, raising total to 264
![](https://r58b8e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/worldnewsdyil2auoc8za.gif?time=1720024038)
French health authorities reported 89 new deaths from coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total to 264 or an increase of almost 51%, a much more marked rise than recently seen as the country was in its second day of a lockdown aimed at containing the outbreak.