An air of déjà vu. The Health Risk Monitoring and Anticipation Committee (Covars), successor to the Scientific Council, contacted the Ministry of Health a few days before the end of the year holidays. Everything to ask for barrier measures.
In a note sent on December 14, Covars warns of the resurgence of respiratory diseases in France, and in particular Covid-19. For several days, emergency visits related to the disease have seen their percentage increase, with the active circulation of a subvariant of Omicron, JN.1, considered by specialists “much more transmissible than the flu.”
A mask around the tree?
According to Covars, the increase in Covid-19 contaminations, associated with influenza – which has entered the epidemic phase in several regions of France – and bronchiolitis, justifies the return of barrier measures.
“In the current context, it is absolutely necessary to actively reinforce the means of prevention through vaccination and other preventive measures such as the use of masks and ventilation of premises,” writes the Committee.
It even suggests the “obligation” to wear a mask “in contact with the most vulnerable patients, particularly the immunosuppressed.”
The “very modest” vaccination coverage is also at the center of Covars’ concerns, especially among older people. “Only 27.4% of people aged 65 years or older, or with comorbidities, and 22.5% of nursing home residents received a booster dose of the vaccine by the end of week 50.”
On December 14, the now former Minister of Health Aurélien Rousseau launched a “solemn appeal” to the French to get vaccinated against flu and Covid-19, recalling that it was possible to be vaccinated against both viruses simultaneously.
Source: BFM TV
