PARIS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- France has confirmed 16,018 coronavirus infection cases, 35 percent of whom are aged under 65, Director General of Health Jerome Salomon announced on Sunday.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic in January, 674 people have lost their lives to the virus in the country, 112 more in 24 hours, said Salomon in the daily briefing.

He added that 7, 240 infected people are currently hospitalized, including 1,746 in intensive care, and 2,200 people left hospital recovered.

"The situation will continue to worsen," the official said, urging the French to stay patient and united and support frontline health workers by staying home, respecting barrier gestures and donating protective gear.

A doctor from Compiegne hospital in l'Oise, one of the worst affected regions in the country, died of coronavirus infection on Saturday, said Salomon. It was the first coronavirus death of health staff in France.