French coronavirus death toll close to 26,000, draws nearly level with Spain
France on Wednesday reported 278 new deaths from coronavirus but also announced a steep fall in the number of hospital patients, as the country prepares to gradually ease its lockdown. The health ministry said 25,809 people were now confirmed to have died from the virus in hospitals and nursing homes.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 09:31 | 06 May 2020
- Modified Date: 09:33 | 06 May 2020
The number of people who have died from a coronavirus infection in France increased by 278 or 1.1% to 25,809 on Wednesday, just 8 fewer than Spain, which saw its virus toll rise by 204 or 0.8% to 25,817.
The Health Ministry said in a statement the number of people in intensive care units fell by 283 or 8.3% to 3,147 in the biggest daily fall in four continuous weeks of declines. The number of people in ICU - a key measure of a health system's ability to deal with the epidemic - is now well below half the peak of 7,148 seen on April 8.
The number of people in hospital with coronavirus also fell again to 23,983 from 25,775, also continuing an uninterrupted three-week fall.