France Coronavirus Deaths Rise by 761 to 18,681

(Bloomberg) -- Deaths in France linked to coronavirus cases rose by 761 to 18,681 fatalities, Director General for Health Jerome Salomon said at a briefing in Paris. The number of reported infections rose by the least in five days to 168,241 cases.

France’s daily coronavirus figures have fluctuated amid inconsistent reporting from nursing homes, which were first included in the tally this month. Still, Friday’s numbers, which also showed a drop in the number of people hospitalized and in intensive care, showed some positive signs, Salomon said.

The country’s lockdown and the social distancing it requires “is starting to bear fruit,” Salomon said, even as he reiterated the virus continues to circulate at a high level.

Spain earlier on Friday reported the biggest increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in more than a week, pushing its total to 188,068. Italy reported a slight drop in new cases even as a record number of people were tested. Confirmed cases in the country now total 172,434.

The number of people hospitalized in France due to the coronavirus fell for a third day to 31,190, Salomon said. Patients in ICU beds, an indicator of outbreak’s intensity and its impact on the country’s hospital system, fell by 221 to 6,027, the lowest since April 1, according to Health Ministry data posted online.

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