INTERVIEW
Some regions, like New Aquitaine and Brittany, now fear a resumption of the epidemic of Covid-19. Guest of Europe 1 Saturday, Martin Blachier, epidemiologist specializing in public health, calls the French to “caution” but says that there is for the moment “no reason to worry too much”.
“We can go on vacation serenely. The virus currently affects mainly a young population, we note few severe forms,” said the doctor. However, he urged the French to respect health measures and welcomed the obligation to wear a mask in all enclosed public places, which will come into force on Monday. “Obviously we want traffic not to increase too much to avoid further measures restricting freedom.”
“We don’t avoid family reunions, but we conduct them in secure conditions”
The epidemiologist explains that the elderly or sick must be particularly careful while the virus is still circulating on the territory. “You have to think about keeping your distance, avoid big hugs and closed places, even in the family. We do not avoid family reunions, but we conduct them in secure conditions.”
Martin Blachier also calls on the entire population to be tested “at the slightest symptom”. “We do a lot of testing right now, but who is doing it? Especially people who are about to go on vacation and want to take their precautions. Not necessarily those who have symptoms.” For now, he says, only 17% of people with signs of illness are tested in France.
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