The number of people who died from coronavirus infection in France has risen by 218 to 24,594, while hospitalisations for the disease and people in ICU units continue to decline, France's public health chief said.

Jerome Salomon said the death toll had increased 0.9 per cent compared with Thursday, a lower rate of increase than over the previous 24 hours.

The number of people in hospital with the Covid-19 infection fell further to 25,887 from 26,283 on Thursday, and the number of people in intensive care fell to 3,878 from 4,019. Both numbers have been on a downward trend for more than two weeks.

A man and a woman cross the Alma bridge over the river Seine on a cloudy day in Paris on May 1 on the 46th day of the lockdown. — AFP
A man and a woman cross the Alma bridge over the river Seine on a cloudy day in Paris on May 1 on the 46th day of the lockdown. — AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...
Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...