Almost four years after the emergence of Covid-19, is the virus responsible for several lockdowns and a major global pandemic returning to France? In its bulletin of Wednesday, November 22, Public Health France notes “an upward trend in syndromic indicators in community medicine” and stability in hospitals, with an increase in virological indicators.
A worrying situation as winter approaches, when bronchiolitis affects the entire territory. Certainly, the levels are not comparable to those of previous waves, but Isabelle Parent du Chatelet, member of the editorial team of Public Health France (SPF), highlights “a recent trend towards an increase in these consultations in the city and in the rate of positivity.” “
“We objectify this circulation with the monitoring we have in the wastewater,” he explains on BFMTV.
The role of the JN1 variant
Therefore, the number of cases could increase in the coming weeks with the drop in temperatures, says Bruno Lina, a virologist in Lyon and member of Covars. “It is likely that there will be an increase because this increase is directly related to the fact that climatic conditions favor the circulation of the virus,” he emphasizes.
Especially since multiple variants could have an impact on the circulation of the virus. In particular the “JN1”, also called “Pirola” and from the Omicron family, which circulates mainly in Europe, points out Bruno Lina. “The fact that it replaces [le variant EG.5] “maybe it will encourage the resumption of the epidemic a little.”
“These mutations gave it a small advantage in terms of immune escape, but, on the other hand, in terms of transmission, the difference is not very significant, which means that in the end it was not able to replace the previously circulating virus very quickly. “, Add.
“For the holidays, what will likely happen is an increase in the number of cases of coronavirus infections,” he continues. “But we are not going to see large epidemic waves like we have seen before.” The virologist specifies that the symptoms of JN1 “do not present major differences” and the virus “gives the same clinical signs as the previous viruses.”
WHO is concerned about the increase in diseases in China
Public Health France calls for vigilance and reminds that it is necessary to “apply barrier measures.” “In addition, it is important that older people or people with risk factors get vaccinated against Covid-19 and flu, since these vaccines can be concomitant.”
Covid-19 remains “a threat,” the World Health Organization said earlier this week, four years after the emergence of a disease that has claimed millions of lives and devastated the global economy, but is no longer considers a priority.
On Wednesday, the WHO also expressed concern about the increase in respiratory diseases in China and asked the population to “take protective measures.” “WHO has formally requested from China detailed information on the increase in respiratory diseases and pneumonia outbreaks reported among children,” a statement said.
Source: BFM TV
