PARIS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- French authorities reported Monday 13,243 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the country's total to 910,277.

The rise of new cases slowed down sharply from 29,837 registered a day before, as fewer people are usually tested on Sundays.

The number of people hospitalized went up by 743 to 11,661, while 2,099 resuscitation beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, a single-day rise of 151.

New deaths of 146 were reported on Monday, up from 85 on Sunday. The cumulative number of human loss caused by COVID-19 stood at 33,623.

According to state-run France Info radio, French First Lady Brigitte Macron would self-isolate for seven days after coming into contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The First Lady has no symptoms at this stage, it added.

Struggling to contain a rapid virus spread, the French government has ramped up measures in recent months to avoid a second national lockdown. Wearing masks becomes mandatory indoors and outdoors, bars are closed, gatherings in public places are limited and a four-week curfew is introduced in nine big cities on maximum alert for the coronavirus.

As the world is struggling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, countries including France, China, Russia, Britain and the United States are racing to find a vaccine.

According to the website of the World Health Organization, as of Oct. 19, there were 198 COVID-19 candidate vaccines being developed worldwide, and 44 of them were in clinical trials. Enditem

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