“Light” traffic, but caution. In a statement sent to AFP, the Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau, called on Friday to “remain vigilant” in the face of possible developments in the Covid-19 epidemic.
“The circulation of Covid is certainly low in France, but we must remain vigilant, because the situation is changing rapidly”, he judged, adding that “we will have, for several more seasons, to live with the resurgences of this viruses”.
Affirming that “all the teams of the ministry are on deck”, the Minister of Health and Prevention indicated that he would take stock in the afternoon with the regional health agencies (ARS).
Until then, the epidemic rebound has “a small impact on hospitalizations and pre-hospitalizations”, noted the General Directorate of Health (DGS) during a press briefing, referring to the increases in emergency room visits and acts of SOS Médecins on “small numbers”.
“The incidence remains at low levels”: “It has gone from 6.2 to 7.7 per 100,000”, we insisted from the same source, while noting that “this rate should be interpreted with caution and not to be compared with those of previous years” following changes to the tracking system.
In mainland France, “the increase is limited, located in particular in the South-West and mainly driven by New Aquitaine”, noted the DGS, noting that “most cases are in very busy holiday regions”.
“The health authorities have not lowered their guard, they are vigilant”, but “the monitoring methods have been adapted to take into account the evolution of the situation: the Covid is now one of the viral acute respiratory infections next to influenza and RSV” (causing bronchiolitis), pleaded the DGS.
The Minister of Health also insisted on barrier gestures, which “must remain reflexes to protect yourself and protect others. It’s true this summer and it will be true this fall.” “When you have symptoms, the mask reflex has to kick in,” he insisted.
He stressed that “this fall we will also be able to count on the vaccination corresponding to the virus as it has been identified. And we will have to protect fragile people as a priority. The vaccination campaign, scheduled “from mid-October”, will couple Covid and flu, said the Directorate General of Health.
