By Damon Mitchell • Published: 25 May 2020 • 14:38
FRENCH authorities reported the smallest daily rise in coronavirus infections and deaths on Sunday since before lockdown began on March 17, raising hopes that the worst of the epidemic is over in France.
The number of confirmed cases rose by 115 to 144,921, health ministry data showed, and the death toll increased by 35 to 28,367.
The weekend totals for new cases and deaths were also both the lowest since France began easing its strict coronavirus restrictions on May 11.
Despite the easing of restrictions, social distancing rules remain in place in France and Environment Minister Elisabeth Borne said that the government did not want people to travel abroad this summer. She also said Paris parks must remain closed for now as the capital is still a ‘red zone’ for circulation of the coronavirus.
The new data showed that, because of slower data reporting and with patients staying in hospital longer over the long holiday weekend, the number of people admitted to hospital with the coronavirus had increased by seven to 17,185. It was the first increase in weeks. Until now, the number had fallen every day since April 15.
The number of people in intensive care continued its decline, falling by 10 to 1,655. It was the slowest decline since the peak of the crisis, when 7,148 people were in intensive care.
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From the interviewed to the interviewer
As frontman of a rock band Damon used to court the British press, now he lives the quiet life in Spain and seeks to get to the heart of the community, scoring exclusive interviews with ex-pats about their successes and struggles during their new life in the sun.
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