Hospitals had 22,208 hospitalized patients on Monday with a diagnosis of Covid-19 (including 1,274 admitted in the past 24 hours), 45 less than the day before (22,253) and 2,871 less than a week ago (25,079).
The critical care services received 2,089 patients (including 153 admissions).
This is slightly more than the day before (2,079), but 367 less than last Monday (2,456).
The number of new positive cases stood at 14,496, according to Public Health France.
Monday's numbers may not be representative due to many labs being closed over the weekend.
The seven-day average, the most faithful witness to the real trend in recorded contaminations, stood at 52,715 cases, down from the 57,034 cases recorded last Monday.
Hospital deaths in 24 hours stood at 173, bringing the death toll to 139,451 since the outbreak began just over two years ago.
Prime Minister Jean Castex announced last week the end of wearing a mask, except in transport, and the suspension of the vaccination pass, from March 14.
Covid-19: situation in AFP hospitals
Vaccination continues, at a moderate pace: 54.23 million French people have received at least one dose (i.e. 80.4% of the population), nearly 53.3 million are fully vaccinated (79% of the total population) , and more than 39.19 million received a booster dose, according to the General Directorate of Health.
© 2022 AFP