Four lawmakers in France have been infected with the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) amidst its spread through the country's parliament, both Reuters and France24 reported.
One of the MPs is under intensive care
The four cases were from the National Assembly, the lower house of the French parliament, and have since been hospitalised, NBCNews further reported.
In addition, the first MP to be infected is also under intensive care.
Separately, two employees at the French parliament have also caught the disease, including a snack bar worker.
Total number of cases across France reaches over 1,100
In the meantime, the total number of confirmed cases across the country stands at 1,126 while the death toll from the virus stands at 19, after 336 new cases and 3 additional deaths were reported on Mar. 8, NBCNews reported.
The same day also saw the French Health Minister, Olivier Véran, announce that gatherings of more than 1,000 are now banned across the country, France24 further reported.
French authorities had previously banned gatherings of more than 5,000 people at a confined venue.
Protests still allowed
Véran added that some events which are considered "useful to national life" will still be allowed to continue however, such as protests.
The country's municipal elections, which is scheduled for Mar. 15, also appears set to continue.
French President Emmanuel Macron added that yet-to-be implemented measures such as the closure of schools and suspension of public transport are now "unavoidable" as the country is preparing to raise its alert level over the virus.
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