The number of people in intensive care units (ICU) with Covid-19 in France increased by 52 to 5,757, a nearly five-month high, after dipping a day earlier, health ministry data showed.

The ministry also reported 301 new deaths in hospital. Including deaths in retirement care homes, the seven-day moving average of Covid-19 deaths stood at 343 on Friday.

France also reported 41,243 new infections, down from 46,677 a week earlier.