French Health Minister Olivier Véran in Paris, February 18, 2020.  (Photo: AFP)

Paris (People’s Daily) – France has reported 38 confirmed COVID-19 cases, a jump from 18 reported on Wednesday, announced French Health minister, Olivier Veran, at a press conference on Thursday.

Veran said the “sharp increase” was due to “contact persons,” or those linked to previous cases.

According to healthy ministry director Jerome Salomon, out of the 38 cases, two people had died, 12 were cured and 24 were hospitalized, two of those being in a “serious condition."