Nearly 8.3 million Covid-19 tests were performed last week.
This is a total 20% higher than the previous record set in Christmas week, according to figures released Thursday by the Ministry of Health.
That week, nearly 7 million antigen and PCR tests had been performed.
The number of this type of tests has exploded with 8.29 million screenings validated between December 27 and January 2, specifies the Drees (Department of research, studies, evaluation and statistics).
The actual total is higher with the self-tests.
Read also Covid-19: the events of the day live
The daily record was also broken, with nearly 1.9 million tests on December 31, just before Christmas Eve.
86% of PCR results within 24 hours
This rush concerns all age groups, "particularly 16-65 years" who once again concentrated three quarters of the tests.
If the results are returned in less than 24 hours in 95% of cases, thanks to two thirds of rapid antigenic tests, the times are lengthened a little for the PCR carried out in laboratories, where this rate drops to 86%.
"The test system is undoubtedly in tension", acknowledged the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, this Thursday on BFMTV and RMC, adding that "we must hold the shock".