Triple threat at the end of the year 2022. As the end of the year celebrations and the winter season approach, a favorable period for the spread of respiratory viruses, scientists and health professionals are increasingly warning about the possible appearance of a triple epidemic that could affect the country in the coming days.
On the Covid-19 front, more than 48,331 daily cases are being recorded across the country this Saturday, reports Public Health France. A figure that, together with the national incidence rate that exceeds 300 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (+34% in one week), points to the arrival of a 9th wave.
In addition to Covid-19, France is already affected by an already well-established bronchiolitis epidemic that is putting hospitals to the test. But the country also remains threatened by seasonal flu, which, after stagnating in recent years, could make a comeback.
Towards a return of the mask?
For this reason, in this situation, the medical union is sounding the alarm. With BFMTV, Benjamin Davido, an infectious disease specialist at the Raymond-Poincaré de Garches hospital, laments the inaction and lack of education of the health authorities on this issue.
“We went from one excess to another. We removed all the signs that recommended washing your hands, keeping your distance, keeping your mask against Covid, and we did not explain enough that these recommendations were also effective against other respiratory viruses”, he Warns.
In recent weeks, many health authorities have also called for a return to the use of masks on public transport to limit risks. At the end of October, the health committee had recommended the use of this protection in “closed places”, while at the beginning of November, it was the National Academy of Medicine that in turn suggested the use of a surgical mask in closed spaces welcome. audience.
For his part, the government spokesman and former Health Minister Olivier Véran, with BFMTV, tempered the situation and assured that “there is no need to force the use of a mask on common public transport.”
Do not neglect vaccination.
With the end of the year celebrations approaching, as happened last year, the French should be more vigilant. Lauriane Kadoche, a pharmacist in Paris, shared her observations with BFMTV.
“There are many more patients who come to the pharmacy, who ask for antigen tests again, who get vaccinated again. They also ask for news of the flu epidemic that is coming and that it will be stronger than in other years. ”, He points out.
A guest on our antenna this Sunday, Benjamín Davido insists on the importance of vaccination to limit risks and encourage patients at higher risk to undergo a booster vaccination with new bivalent vaccinesadapted to the Omicron variant.
Since October 3, a new vaccination reminder campaign against Covid-19 has been launched, recommended for people over 60 years of age, residents of nursing homes, people at risk of suffering from a severe form of the disease and their environment, as well as for professionals in the health and medical-social sectors.
As of November 21, only 8.6% of people 60 to 79 years of age eligible for a booster tailored to the Omicron variant had received a dose of this booster.
Source: BFM TV
