We had almost forgotten the Covid. And yet the 8th wave is here, as confirmed by Pr Brigitte Otherpresident of the Covars (Committee for Monitoring and Anticipating Health Risks), this TuesdaySun October 4, on RMC. “All indicators are increasingthe rates of positivity, hospitalization, consultation in the emergency room and even a beginning of an increase in the rate of hospitalization in intensive care”, she supported.
- See the contamination figures for October 3.
In its latest epidemic monitoring bulletin (September 29), Santé Publique France observed that the incidence rate had increased in all age groups, with the exception of those under 10 and with the largest increase among older populations. “As for hospital admissions, they were on the rise for the second consecutive week. The number of deaths was also on the rise.”
The scientist was very clear this morning : it’s necessary “really really wear the masks”. “We are in an upward wave, it is still recommended to wear masks very frequently as soon as we are in an environment where social distancing is not possible.
At the question : could we re-impose it in certain places? She answers : “today Covars is studying this point with different models. All European countries and America are also studying it.” In the meantime, she encourages the French to re-wear it as soon as the situation requires it: places of promiscuity, badly ventilated.
The threat of a new variant
For now, it’s still the BA.5 subvariant by Omicron which is almost exclusive in France. But could a new variant not emerge? “We still have to worry about the Covid, commented this Tuesday, October 4, Pr Brigitte Other. We are never immune to the appearance of a variant that could be more virulent. We must continue to be tested when we have the impression of having symptoms or that we are in contact. Laboratories must be able to ‘type’ which virus is involved. Without it, we won’t know if a nasty variant arises. There may be. Global surveillance remains extremely important.”
What to do to limit the wave?
Hence the advice hammered out by SPF for several weeks now:
- to apply barrier gestures to protect vulnerable people,
- follow the recommended measures in the event of a symptom, positive test or contact at risk.
What worries health authorities is that given the epidemic dynamics and insufficient vaccination coverage, it is essential to strengthen the vaccination effort, especially for the second booster dose in the elderly.
But, currently, only 34.8% of those aged 60-79 and 48.3% of those aged 80 and over among those eligiblereceived this second dose.
The booster vaccination campaign against Covid, which started on Monday October 3, should improve vaccination coverage to better protect the most vulnerable. Brigitte Other recalled his instructions: “These are people over 60 and those with risk factors. You have to go see your doctor to find out if you are eligible for vaccination. At this time, a person who is well and under the age of 60 is not eligible for vaccination.”
It also encouraged these same people to be vaccinated against the flu, which could be more severe this winter. As a reminder, it will be possible to get your vaccine anti-flufrom October 18.
