France reports 87 new single-day deaths from COVID-19

France's COVID-19 death toll rose to 29,296 on Tuesday after 87 new fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours, official figures showed.

Among the deaths, 18,912 were at hospitals and 10,384 were at nursing homes and medico-social establishments, said the Health Ministry in a statement.

COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) dropped below 1,000 for the first time since mid-March, with 955 in ICUs, down by 69 over Monday.

As of Tuesday, France had reported 154,591 confirmed COVID-19 cases, up from 154,188 on Monday. A total of 11,961 patients remain hospitalized, 354 fewer than a day before, while 71,506 have recovered and returned home, a single-day increase of 463.

France has entered the second week of phase II of deconfinement.

Early Tuesday, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz announced that a preliminary investigation has been launched into the authorities' handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Heitz said in a statement that his office has received 62 complaints or alerts since late March alleging failure by official bodies or decision makers.

These complaints involve alleged failure relating to protection measures at work, masks shortage and tests supply, according to French media reports.