France reports more coronavirus deaths, raising total to 28,239
The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care in France has fallen under 2,000 for the first time in two months, the health ministry said on Monday. The ministry said in its daily update that 131 people had died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours in France, bringing its total death toll in hospitals and nursing homes to 28,239.
- World
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 10:40 | 18 May 2020
- Modified Date: 10:40 | 18 May 2020
French health authorities reported 131 new coronavirus deaths on Monday, or a slowing increase of 0.5%, bringing the total to 28,239, still the fourth-highest in the world behind the U.S., Britain and Italy.
In a statement, the ministry said the number of people in intensive care with COVID-19 infection declined by 4.3% to 1,998, below the 2,000 threshold for the first time since March 22.
This figure, which is a crucial measure of pressure on the hospital system, has been falling since April 9 after hitting a peak of 7,148.
A total of 19,015 people remain in hospital suffering from COVID-19.
The government on May 11 eased the lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus but has warned that it is still actively circulating in the country.