France reports more coronavirus cases, but says disease is under control

FILE PHOTO: An ambulance for patient Mang Phother, 61, who spent 16 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen in front the Clinique de l'Estree private hospital in Stains near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in France, April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

PARIS (Reuters) - France reported more coronavirus-linked deaths and cases on Friday, although a top health official said the respiratory disease caused by the new virus was under control.

"The epidemic is currently under control. The virus is still circulating ... but at a slow speed," Jean-François Delfraissy, head of the COVID-19 scientific committee set up by the government, told France Inter radio.