France's and Italy's report new wave of COVID-19 infections

France on Tuesday reported 206,554 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours.

The country's new health minister Francois Braun announced the figures to the French National Assembly during a hearing on the health vigilance COVID-19 bill of the Law Commission.

"Today, it is clear, we have to wear the mask in crowded places, like here for example," Braun told the deputies. "We are reporting around 120,000 cases per day on average this past week."

France has now lifted all COVID-19 restrictions. However, health professionals are warning of a seventh wave of the pandemic in the country. 

Italy reported 132,274 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, health ministry official figures showed, surpassing 100,000 for the first time since February 8.

Italy, whose death tally since the beginning of the pandemic is the eight-highest in the world, also reported 94 deaths on Tuesday.