The number of hospitalized patients and those in intensive care continued a slight decline on Friday.

The figures for new cases in 24 hours were not disclosed, however.

The epidemic has killed more than 64,800 people in France. 

The number of hospitalized patients and those in intensive care continued a slight decline on Friday, according to figures published by Public Health France.

With 175 new deaths in hospital in 24 hours, Covid-19 has now caused the death of more than 64,800 people in France since the start of the epidemic.

The number of patients hospitalized for Covid-19 is 24,263, or 144 less than Thursday, a slight decrease like the previous few days, with 677 new admissions, according to the first figures for the year 2021. The number of patients in intensive care or intensive care is also down slightly, with 2,609 people (-16), and 99 new admissions.

New case figures not available 

The number of new cases recorded over 24 hours was not available early Friday evening.

As of Thursday, it was around 20,000, still a long way from the government target of going down to 5,000 cases per day.

This daily figure has varied enormously since mid-December, fluctuating between some 3,000 and more than 21,000.

Faced with the risk of a new outbreak of the epidemic after the end of the year celebrations, the government has decided to strengthen the curfew from Saturday in 15 departments in the east of the country.