Covid-19: we must "remain vigilant" in the face of changes in the epidemic, according to Aurélien Rousseau

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: Nicolas Liponne / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 15:03 pm, August 11, 2023

The Covid-19 virus is circulating in France in a "weak" way but "we must remain vigilant" in the face of the possible evolutions of the epidemic, said Friday the Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau, in a statement sent to AFP. "The circulation of Covid is certainly low in France but we must remain vigilant, because the situation is evolving rapidly," he said, adding that "we will, for several more seasons, have to live with the resurgences of this virus".

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Low impact on hospitalizations

Affirming that "all the teams of the ministry are on deck", the Minister of Health and Prevention said that he would make a point 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 Directorate General of Health (DGS) at a press briefing, referring to the increases in emergency room visits and SOS Doctors acts on "small numbers".

"The incidence remains at low levels": "it has increased from 6.2 to 7.7 per 100,000", the same source insisted, while noting that "this rate is to be interpreted with caution and not to be compared with those of previous years" following changes in the monitoring system.

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Nouvelle-Aquitaine more concerned in metropolitan France

In metropolitan France, "the increase is limited, located in particular in the South-West and carried mainly by Nouvelle-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 surveillance methods have been adapted to take into account the evolution of the situation: Covid is now one of the viral acute respiratory infections alongside influenza and RSV" (causing bronchiolitis), pleaded the DGS.

The Minister of Health also insisted on barrier gestures, which "must remain reflexes to protect oneself and others. It's true this summer and it will be true this fall." "When you have symptoms, the mask reflex must prevail," he insisted. He stressed that "this autumn 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 influenza, said the Directorate General of Health.