France's death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak rose to 13,832, but the number of patients in intensive care fell for the third day in a row, raising hopes that a nationwide lockdown is curbing the spread of the disease.

The health ministry said that 353 people had died in hospitals and 290 in nursing homes.

The number of people in intensive care units fell to 6,883 from 7,004 a day before, it added.