French President Emmanuel Macron discusses the coronavirus crisis in Paris. (Photo: AFP)

Paris (People's Daily) -- France’s head of public health services Jérôme Salomon announced on Tuesday that 21 new cases of Covid-19 had been identified in France with a total of 212 cases now diagnosed, of which 12 were cured and there were 4 fatalities.

On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the crisis center of the Ministry of Health and stated that, "The mobilization and fight of the whole country against this virus will be decisive."

He also said that the "second stage" of France's current fight against the epidemic is to stop the virus from spreading in the country and will last weeks or even months.

Earlier today, Macron posted a message on Twitter saying that "We requisition all stocks and the production of protective masks. We will distribute them to healthcare professionals and French people affected by the coronavirus."

According to French media "La Provence" on the same day, 2000 masks were stolen from a hospital in Marseille.