New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
The situation in France
Faced with the fourth wave of Covid-19, the Corsican Regional Health Agency activated the “white plan” on Tuesday to increase hospital capacity, the day after the announcement of a reconfinement of at least three weeks in Guadeloupe. While Martinique has been reconfigured since Friday and Guadeloupe is preparing to be so from Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Jean Castex chaired a meeting of the Interministerial Crisis Unit on Tuesday, deciding the deployment of 10 resuscitation beds additional in the West Indies by the army health service (SSA) from mid-August, according to Matignon.
In total, there will be 20 additional intensive care beds in the West Indies, “a medical and logistical feat” according to Defense Minister Florence Parly. Across France, the number of patients hospitalized with Covid-19 continues to climb in the face of an outbreak of the Delta variant, according to figures released Tuesday by Public Health France.
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Critical care services had 1,331 patients (including 218 admissions in 24 hours) against 1,232 patients on Monday and 978 a week ago. The number of Covid patients in hospital is now 7,974, 134 more than Monday and 837 more than a week ago. Admissions over the past 24 hours are also on the rise, with 818 patients against 688 on Monday, the highest figure since the end of May. The disease has killed 57 people, according to figures released Tuesday, bringing the total toll of this epidemic in France to more than 112,000 deaths. “Viral circulation and more particularly of the Delta variant” has particularly accelerated in Corsica “with an incidence rate of 650 per 100,000 inhabitants” and “830 per 100,000 inhabitants in Haute-Corse”, indicated the ARS in a statement.
The Isle of Beauty experienced this weekend the biggest tourist crossover of the year with more than 130,000 people arriving or leaving. In Bastia, hospital occupancy rates exceed 79%, “making it necessary to open up new capacities,” said the health agency. The activation of the white plan, “for a minimum period of four weeks”, makes it possible to mobilize all health personnel in order to increase the number of intensive care and hospitalization beds for Covid patients. Restrictive measures were put in place from mid-July in Corsica to fight against the upsurge of the epidemic with in particular the return of the compulsory mask in the main towns and the ban on gathering more than ten people in natural areas. after 9:00 p.m.
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Sixty-five people are currently hospitalized including 14 in intensive care or resuscitation, 17 more than Friday, according to the ARS. Regarding vaccination, 61.2% of the island population received a first dose and 49.8% both doses. The situation is also alarming in Martinique (incidence rate of 1,068 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and in Guadeloupe (750 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) where the prefect Alexandre Rochatte announced a reconfinement of the island for a period of at least three weeks from Wednesday 8:00 p.m. If businesses remain open, as well as restaurants at noon, bars will all be closed, such as gymnasiums, stadiums and swimming pools. It will be forbidden to picnic on the beaches.
In Martinique, confined since Friday evening for three weeks, the first reinforcements of the army arrived Tuesday in order to increase “the reception capacity in intensive care”, indicated the Armed Forces in the Antilles. “In ten days, a new plane will take off with military personnel and medical equipment,” said Florence Parly. Three Covid patients in intensive care were transferred to mainland France from Martinique on Sunday and were taken care of in AP-HP establishments in Ile-de-France.
Reunion Island also resumed this weekend with partial confinement during the day for two weeks, reinforced by a strict curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Faced with the epidemic rebound everywhere in France, the government announced on Tuesday “the reactivation of several levers of mobilization and support for caregivers in the face of the epidemic rebound”, including the increase in overtime by 50% and exceptional compensation for paid leave not taken for service reasons.
Vaccine required to do activities in New York
Proof of vaccination will be required in New York to access inside restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues, Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday, making his city the first in the United States to create a passport. vaccine. This device, called “Key to NYC pass”, “will require the vaccination of employees and customers of indoor restaurants, sports halls and theaters”, explained the mayor during a press briefing, specifying that it would require “at least one dose” of vaccine.
“If you are vaccinated (…), you have the key, you can open the door. But if you are not vaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many activities”, added Bill de Blasio .
He said the device, which to some extent resembles the health pass implemented in France in August, would be launched in New York on August 16, but that the first checks to enforce it would take place from September 13. For the past two weeks, the mayor and the governor of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo, have multiplied the announcements to strengthen the vaccination of officials and recommend the wearing of masks, in the face of the resurgence in the number of Covid cases due to the variant Delta.
If some unions have criticized this new measure, the New York association of restaurateurs, the New York City Hospitality Alliance, welcomed it. This will “pose economic and logistical challenges” for restaurants, but could help “ensure that New York is not again under restrictions and closures, which would devastate small businesses,” she said in a statement.
The balance sheet in the world
The pandemic has made at least 4,234,618 dead worldwide since the end of December 2019, according to a report established by AFP on Tuesday at 10:00 GMT.
The United States are the country with the most deaths (613.679), in front of Brazil (557,223), India (425,195), Mexico (241,279) and Peru (196,518).
The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher than that which is officially established.
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