“Despite the increased transmissibility of Omicron, all hygiene measures are still effective,” insisted virologist Bruno Lina, member of the scientific council.
- A new synthetic antibody anti-Covid treatment, Xevudy, has been approved by the French health authorities, who consider it promising against Omicron infection.
- Other drugs have just been withdrawn because of their ineffectiveness against the new variant.
“Children, like a lot of the age group under 40, play a very important role in the spread of the virus (…). We see it because there is transmission between children and parents, and sometimes, foci of transmission in schools”.
In an interview given on BFM TV, virologist Bruno Lina explained that children played a very important role in the spread of Covid-19.
Omicron is “about 80% more transmissible”
The Omicron variant is “about 80% more transmissible” than the others, specified this pillar of the scientific council. “Under these conditions, people who were probably less susceptible to the virus, such as children, now become able to be affected very effectively,” he continues.
According to figures from the Ministry of National Education, 47,453 cases of student contamination were declared from Monday to last Thursday. A record was even reached on the teachers’ side, with 5,631 positive cases. To protest against the anti-Covid measures put in place in schools, the vast majority of teachers’ unions called for a national strike on Thursday January 13 in schools, colleges and high schools, denouncing in particular “an indescribable mess”.
21,000 people are hospitalized
The share of contamination due to the Omicron variant in new cases has increased significantly in recent days. Currently, more than 21,000 people are hospitalized due to Covid-19 and 3,815 are in intensive care.
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