France reports 516 new deaths from Novel Coronavirus in last 24 hours

France reported 516 new deaths from the Novel Corona virus in the last 24 hours, bringing its overall toll to 21,856 fatalities, the country's health department said yesterday. But, it said, the number of patients in intensive care is continuing a two-week decline, falling by 165 over 24 hours to 5,053.

A majority of the



13,547 deaths reported were in hospital and the rest in retirement homes and other facilities.

French authorities said that the coming days are key, if the country is to be able to meet a 11th May target to begin a gradual end to national lockdown measures imposed in mid-March.