France reports decline in new COVID-19 cases
By Liu Lingling
People's Daily app
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France 4-24.jpegPeople wearing face masks walk in the street of Sceaux, south of Paris on April 4, 2020. (Photo: AP)

Paris (People's Daily) -- France’s Director of Public Health, Jérôme Salomon, announced on Friday that 22,245 people have died of COVID-19 since March 1. Hospitals across the country are treating almost 14,000 infected patients, while 8,393 are being treated at social and medico-social establishments.

French hospitals reported 1,346 new cases, indicating a decline in new patients by 561.

At least 4,870 patients remain in intensive care, representing a negative balance of 183 new patients.

“This need is slowly but steadily declining,” reassured Salomon.

Since March 1, more than 87,000 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19, and 15,000 have required intensive care.

“The circulation of the virus remains at a high level,” said Salomon.

Overall, the country has 122,577 COVID-19 cases, according to Salomon. In addition, 43,493 patients have been discharged from hospitals since the pandemic began.

France has remained under lockdown since March 16, when French President Emmanuel Macron issued the order.

Health Minister Olivier Véran said on Friday the French government is in agreement with a recent study conducted by the French School of Public Health that determined the lockdown measure had prevented 60,000 COVID-19 fatalities.

According to French authorities, the ensuing days are vital if the country expects to hit its May 11 target date when it is supposedly set to begin easing lockdown restrictions and gradually allow the country to return to normal.