Biologist doctor Caroline Gutsmuth gives a phone call in medical biology laboratory who opened a coronavirus drive-thru testing site, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, Monday, March 23, 2020. (Photo: AP)

Paris (People's Daily) -- France has confirmed that 860 people have died nationwide from COVID-19 and recorded 186 casualties in the past 24 hours, announced French Health Minister, Olivier Veran, at a daily press conference on Monday. 

So far, France has 19,856 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 8,675 victims receiving hospital treatment, with another 2,082 victims in critical condition. 

The French Parliament implemented a measure allowing for a “state of health emergency,” which grants additional powers to the government to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The emergency measure lasts two months beginning on the day of it is passed, and can be renewed.