Each return, its wave. Covid-19 contaminations are on the rise again in France, starting the eighth episode of the epidemic in late summer. And as proof: the incidence rate shoots up in all metropolitan departments.
308 out of 100,000 inhabitants contracted the virus in the seven days before September 19. This is almost twice as much as on September 5. On the RTL microphone this Friday morning, government spokesman Olivier Véran confirms: “It’s been on again for 15 days.”
The very clear resumption of screening activity also perfectly illustrates this epidemic rebound, since between September 12 and 18 the symbolic bar of one million PCR and antigen tests was exceeded, according to the Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (drees).
The North more affected than the South
However, the situation differs according to the territories of France. In 76 departments, the incidence rate ranges between 250 and 500. But the worst worries the Ardennes: 589 patients per 100,000 inhabitants have been identified there in the last seven days. In a neighboring department, Mosa, the value of the indicator is lower (446), but the incidence has skyrocketed compared to last week (+128%).
On the contrary, the southern departments are the least affected by the start of this eighth wave. The incidence rate is less than 200 in Lot-et-Garonne and Haute-Corse. The virus also circulates less rapidly (+12.2% in Lozère) than in the North.
In Overseas France, the situation differs for the moment from the rest of France. In Mayotte, the incidence rate is 12. In Guyana it is 20. Regarding the evolution of viral circulation, the lights are green in four out of five departments, as evidenced by the reduction in the incidence rate.
Decrease in the number of hospital deaths
Now it remains to observe the magnitude of this wave and its consequences for the hospital. If the number of intensive care admissions is increasing compared to last week (+13%), other hospital indicators show a drop. According to Covid-Tracker, 707 patients are hospitalized in critical care for Covid-19 (-4%) and there are an average of 29 daily deaths in hospital (-8%).
But in previous waves, the increase in the number of cases and the acceleration of viral circulation did not have a visible impact on the hospital until two or three weeks later. Figures to be taken with a grain of salt.
While 37 million French people have received three doses of vaccine, the High Authority for Health (HAS) has also just given its approval for the injection of three anti-Covid vaccines adapted to Omicron. Recommended doses for people at serious risk and caregivers, which will be available in the fall for a new withdrawal campaign. And it will allow, perhaps, to crush the wave.
Source: BFM TV
