Virus supplies bought by LVMH arrive in France

A first cargo shipment bringing about one ton of medical supplies from China, including around 5.5 million protective face masks, arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Sunday.

France has ordered more than one billion protective masks, mainly from China, to try to make up for a shortage that is being felt as nations fight the coronavirus pandemic, Health Minister Olivier Veran announced on Saturday.

Part of Sunday's delivery was ordered and paid for by one of the world's largest luxury group Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH).

The Paris-based firm announced on Saturday it had reached a deal with a Chinese industrial supplier to deliver 10 million masks to the French population.

COVID-19 began in Wuhan, China before spreading westward. Europe is the current epicenter.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.