The Grand Est region of France now counts 587 confirmed cases, cementing its status of France's worst affected region.

Officials confirmed 587 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday afternoon. The regional health authority announced that 123 new patients tested positive for the virus in one day.

Some departments are considerably more affected than others. Infections in the Haut-Rhin department jumped from 260 confirmed cases to 359 within one day.

The number of confirmed infections in the Moselle region increased from 47 to 59 in the same time period. The number of infections increased less dramatically in the Vosges department (31), Bas-Rhin (108), and Marne (7).

The coronavirus death toll in the Grand Est region, which borders four countries including Luxembourg, jumped from five to nine on Wednesday.

Among the victims are three individuals from the Bas-Rhin region. They were aged 73, 80, and 92. A 38-year-old also passed away.

The regional health authority announced that GPs will be equipped with face masks in the coming days.