LOC21:16
18:16 GMT
PARIS, May 29 (KUNA) -- The number of French coronavirus deaths rose by 52 on Friday to reach 28,714 compared with 28,662 the previous day, while hospitalisations and the number of critical patients decreased in what is now a regular pattern.
The Health Ministry said in a statement that the number of patients hospitalised with the virus fell to 14,695 from 15,208 during the past 24 hours and the volume of critical patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) dropped to 1,361 from 1,429.
Hospitals reported 255 new admissions with coronavirus in the past day, up slightly from figures on Thursday but patients discharged outnumbered admissions, the statement indicated.
The Health Ministry also revealed that 67,803 patients have been treated and discharged by hospitals out of a total figure of 101.390 admissions since March 1.
While data is still being compiled from non-hospital sources, there are an estimated 186,300 cases of coronavirus infections here and some virologists at the renowned "Institut Pasteur" estimate infections could be growing at over 3,400 per day, although some will go undetected.
France is proceeding with Phase II of an easing of the lockdown on June 2 and will review the health situation again on June 22 to see if it is safe to implement Phase III of the process.
Most areas of the country will next week gradually move towards resuming normal activity, with the exception of the virus-active Paris region, where there will be some restrictions left in place. (end)
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