The Latest: France sends medics, virus help to Caribbean

France is deploying military medics and ICU units to the French Caribbean to relieve hospitals facing a coronavirus surge

PARIS — France is deploying military medics and ICU units to the French Caribbean to relieve hospitals facing a coronavirus surge. Military planes are also bringing some critically ill patients to the French mainland for treatment. The island of Martinique goes into partial lockdown Saturday. Martinique’s current infection rate is more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people, the highest in France, according to national health agency figures. Citing “strong tension” in hospitals in Martinique, the French Defense Ministry says 50 military medical personnel are heading to the region and the military will bring 10 ICU beds over the next week. The Indian Ocean island of Reunion is imposing new confinement measures. Infections are also spreading fast in Guadeloupe.