The health situation is clearing up, with an incidence rate of less than 20 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. But there are still grounds for concern
, warned this Wednesday Gabriel Attal, spokesman for the government, at the exit of the Council of Ministers. At issue: the delta variant. The vaccine appears as a armed
major. Good news: meeting requests are on the rise for a few days
. But among nursing home staff, the level of vaccination is too low. The question of making it compulsory is put back on the table.
Better but …
The situation has never been so positive since last summer
, said Wednesday, June 30, Gabriel Attal, government spokesman at the exit of the Council of Ministers. The average incidence rate in France is 18.5 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. The number of hospitalized Covid patients fell yesterday to 8,627, including 1,250 in critical care. Far from the peaks of 6,000 patients registered at the end of April.
The delta variant under surveillance
No euphoria so far. There are grounds for concern
, warns Gabriel Attal. The delta variant progresses very rapidly.
It represented 10% of new contaminations a week ago. Today is 20%. A level that has doubled in less than a week.
Moreover, the incidence rate, although already low, does not seem to decrease anymore
. No doubt because of the low level of contamination. But the more contagious delta variant is also involved. Without barrier measures or vaccination, a person affected by the initial strain could infect three people. That affected by the English variant can contaminate 4.5. And the one affected by the variant delta 6 or 7 …
Reductions …
Since Wednesday, June 30, places open to the public are no longer subject to the gauges. Cinemas, museums, bars, shops and restaurants can accommodate 100% of their customers. On the other hand, a 75% gauge is still required for large indoor gatherings (festivals and concerts), and the sanitary pass is necessary for any event of more than 1,000 people. Wearing a mask remains compulsory indoors and in any gathering of more than 1,000 people, indoors or outdoors.
… But not everywhere
The only downside, in the Landes department, the easing of sanitary restrictions is delayed at least until July 6
. The epidemic incidence rate remains around the alert threshold (50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), but the Delta variant represents almost 45%
cases, according to the Regional Health Agency of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The Prefect of the Landes, Cécile Bigot-Dekeyzer, encouraged the population to get vaccinated to slow the spread of the variant and protect vulnerable people: two clusters were detected in nursing homes in the department.
Good news on the vaccination side
We have a weapon against the virus: the vaccine, which works and shows excellent results, including against the delta variant
, repeated the spokesperson for the government. However, the number of appointments made, after having marked the step
, is on the rise again, between 10 and 20% in recent days. A very good news
, he congratulated himself. The vaccine is an altruistic and protective act for yourself
, hammered Gabriel Attal.
Compulsory vaccination for caregivers?
In some nursing homes, the variant may have appeared, often brought in by staff who were not vaccinated
, also said the spokesperson of the government. A staff that has been admirable
during the health crisis, but who needs to be vaccinated more. No coincidence: Jean Castex announced in the wake that he was going to launch in the coming days
a consultation with the associations of local elected officials and the presidents of parliamentary groups around the compulsory vaccination of healthcare workers. A possibility already mentioned.
To date, only 55% of professionals in nursing homes and long-term care units have received at least one dose
, had deplored, Tuesday, the ministers of Health Olivier Véran and Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon. The government has set a target at least 80%
nursing home staff and hospitals vaccinated by September, otherwise it would be open the way of an obligation
.
Fourth wave in the fall?
Scientists warn of the near inevitability of a fourth wave in the fall. But according to the president of the scientific council, Jean-François Delfraissy, it will be much more nuanced than the first three
, thanks to the level of vaccination achieved. The Institut Pasteur published new studies on Tuesday that predict, in the worst case scenario, a significant peak in hospitalization
similar to that of autumn 2020, in the absence of control measures such as intensive screening and strengthening of barrier measures, which could be targeted on certain populations.
– .
