Over 17,000 people have died in France from COVID-19. But the number of hospitalized patients has fallen for the first time since the epidemic began. The total number in intensive care fell for the seventh day in a row by 273 patients.

France has been in lockdown since March 17 with only essential trips allowed. President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said the epidemic "was beginning to steady." He added the lockdown could begin to be eased from May 11. Macron said schools could gradually reopen then but cafes, cinemas and cultural venues would remain closed.

There could be no summer festivals until mid-July at the earliest.