<span style="color: #222222;">France reported 516 new deaths from the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing its overall toll to 21,856 fatalities  yesterday, the country's health department said.<br />'' <br />'' But  the number of patients in intensive care is continuing a two-week decline, falling by 165 over 24 hours to 5,053.<br />'' <br />'' Although hospitals across France are still receiving a steady stream of new cases the overall number of those who remain hospitalized with the virus continues to drop, underscoring an eight-day trend.<br />'' <br />'' Since the start of the epidemic 42,088 people have left hospital, the health service said.<br />''<br />''French authorities say the coming days are key if the country is to be able to meet a May 11 target to begin a gradual end to national lockdown measures imposed in mid-March.</span>