France on Sunday reported a drop in Covid-19 deaths from the previous 24 hours, with the total toll from the coronavirus epidemic in the country now 14,393, AFP quoted the health ministry as saying.

It said that there were 315 deaths in hospital over the last day, compared with 345 the day earlier. The total toll includes those who have died in nursing homes.

For the fourth consecutive day in a row, the number of patients in intensive care fell with 35 fewer patients, making a total of 6,845 people needing such treatment.

The health ministry reaffirmed that a “plateau” appeared to have been reached but warned the situation remained serious despite the slightly improving data.