Virologist Christine Rouzioux takes stock of the health crisis that has shaken France for almost two years.
- Sunday December 19, 48,473 new cases of Covid-19 were identified in 24 hours.
- A total of 15,528 patients are hospitalized due to Covid-19.
- In France, the total death toll stands at 121,493 since the start of the epidemic.
At a meeting of the National Academy of Medicine and the British Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Christine Rouzioux, Chief Virologist at Necker Medical School, provided an update on the Covid-19 health crisis . During a detailed presentation, she notably mentioned five issues that still question scientists.
1/ The origin of the virus
“We still do not know the origin of Sras-Cov-2”, recalled Christine Rouzioux. “There is of course the theory of animal origin, although many scientists do not believe in it. It is also possible that this virus arose from mutations of HIV, even if the jump between the two viruses would be in this huge case. Perhaps also that the Covid-19 had been circulating for a long time, without being identified before 2019″, she continues.
2/ Sras-cov-2 mutations
“Since the start of the epidemic, Sras-Cov-2 has carried out considerable mutations, in particular at the level of the Omicron variant”, also explained the Professor. “These mutations have consequences that scientists cannot fully envisage. This is the whole point of this epidemic: how far will the viral mutation be able to go?”, she summarizes.
3/ The fifth and sixth waves
Regarding the increase in cases and hospitalizations in France, the scientist estimated “that we may still have the means to mitigate the fifth wave of the Delta variant”, but “that we cannot know today what the probable sixth wave linked to Omicron will give”.
4/ The new “Omicron vaccines”
Moreover, “The Pzizer and Moderna laboratories are preparing second-generation vaccines, intended to fight against Omicron”, also said Christine Rouzioux. “But why? For whom? How are we going to do it?”, she wondered.
5/ Vaccination of children
At last, “the very high incidence rate of Covid-19 among 6/12 year olds is a real warning about the need for vaccination of children”, estimated Christine Rouzioux, without giving formal recommendations.
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