French health authorities reported 131 new coronavirus deaths on Monday, or a slowing increase of 0.5%, bringing the total to 28,239, still the fourth-highest in the world behind the U.S., Britain and Italy.
In a statement, the ministry said the number of people in intensive care with COVID-19 infection declined by 4.3% to 1,998, below the 2,000 threshold for the first time since March 22.
This figure, which is a crucial measure of pressure on the hospital system, has been falling since April 9 after hitting a peak of 7,148.
A total of 19,015 people remain in hospital suffering from COVID-19.
The government on May 11 eased the lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus but has warned that it is still actively circulating in the country.
