French PM Says No Need for New National Lockdown for Now

France's Prime Minister Jean Castex addresses a meeting of the "Beauvau de la Securite" on the theme of security, at the Interior Ministry in Paris, France on Feb. 1, 2021. Thomas Coex/Pool via Reuters

PARIS—French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that the coronavirus situation in France remained fragile but that for the moment there was no need for a new national lockdown.

Castex said the rate of infection had not significantly increased over the past two weeks, even if the pressure on French hospitals remained strong.