The government should soon announce the reduction of the isolation period for people infected with Covid-19 and their contact cases.
- The isolation period for contact cases should soon be reduced to 7 days.
- This shortening is justified by the fact that most of the contagion occurs in the window of the first five days after the symptoms.
- Seven new departments have entered the red zone of active circulation of the virus.
The fortnight should soon change its name for contact cases. The Minister of Health Olivier Véran conceded this weekend that he had inquired about the possibility of reducing isolation for people who have come across an infected patient and who are considered contact cases. “I asked the scientific authorities to give me an opinion to reduce this famous fortnight, which is undoubtedly too long“, he revealed to BFM-TV Saturday, September 5.
No obligation
The Minister of Health pleads for a seven-day isolation. “Yes, the duration of isolation should be reducedconfirms epidemiologist Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health in Geneva, at JDD. Data now shows that the bulk of contagion occurs in the first five-day window after symptoms. If we already managed to respect these five days, we would probably let a few carriers pass, but it seems with a low power of contamination. Five or even seven days is a pragmatic compromise. The shorter it is, the easier it is to observe, the more effective it is. We cannot claim zero risk, but the measure would be better socially accepted.”
There are also no plans to make it compulsory or to carry out home checks as is the case in other countries. A lack of obligation which has led many people not to respect this barrier rule, as revealed by the Health Insurance tracing teams like those of the regional health agencies. This isolation remains one of the most important barrier measures to combat the spread of coronavirus. It is part of the strategytest-trace-isolate”.
Seven new departments in the red zone
Some declare themselves opposed to the shortening of the duration of isolation for contact cases. William Dab, former Director General of Health, is one of them, highlighting the precautionary principle. “Seven days wouldn’t be safehe believes JDD. We would let our guard down when the viral circulation becomes very active again. It’s a bet that seems risky. But if such a decision was justified by economic reasons, because it is necessary to find a fair balance between the precautionary principle and social life, that could be understood. Provided it is said, debated, explained.”
Olivier Véran also warned of an upcoming increase in serious cases, “in the next 15 days“, he said to BFM TV. This resumption of the epidemic led this Sunday seven new departments to join the 21 others which are classified in the red zone of circulation of the virus (Corse-du-Sud, Haute-Corse, Côte-d’Or, Nord , Bas-Rhin, Seine-Maritime and Reunion). “What I can tell you right now is that hospitalization and admission to intensive care is only a reflection of the epidemic situation two weeks ago and therefore it is obvious that in the next fortnight, there will be an increase, not massive but an increase all the same, in the number of serious cases”, added the Minister of Health.
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