Paris, March 31 (RHC)-- French health authorities reported a record 499 new deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the total to 3,523, an increase of 17 percent in the past 24 hours.

It was the third consecutive day that the rate of deaths accelerated in France, which is now in its third week of lockdown to try to slow the spread of the virus.

The daily government tally only accounts for those dying in hospital but authorities say they will very soon be able to compile data on deaths in retirement homes, which is likely to result in a big increase in registered fatalities.

Last week, French authorities announced an extension to current restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly virus, as the number of hospitalizations and deaths continued to climb.   A tally of official coronavirus figures compiled by the AFP news agency showed that deaths from the virus had already climbed above 25,000 globally on Monday, before the latest French data was released.