"Stage 2 activated". Even if the death toll is only two, the rapid spread of the coronavirus on French soil has led the health authorities to take drastic measures. All after a defense council and an exceptional council of ministers. This Saturday evening, the symbolic bar of 100 infected people was reached: 86 are hospitalized including nine in serious condition and twelve are considered officially cured. With 43 new cases announced on Saturday, this is the largest increase in contaminations in a day since the start of the one now known as "epidemic" in France.
Six towns under cover
Among these cases scattered all over the territory, two grouped patient centers attract attention: the Oise and the Haute-Savoie. In this department in the north of Ile-de-France, Creil, Crépy-en-Valois, Vaumoise, Lamorlaye and Lagny-le-Sec but also in the village of Balme-de-Sillingy, in Rhône-Alpes, six cities are subject to exceptional restrictions to stem the advance of the Covid-19. "The challenge is to save time," insisted Olivier Véran, the Minister of Health.
Thus, all collective gatherings are prohibited until further notice and the celebration of the suspended Mass, indicates the diocese. In the five municipalities of Oise, all schools have been closed "pending the ongoing investigation to find out if children would be affected and in which classes," said Jérôme Salomon, director general of health. These schools, colleges and high schools closed, will not be empty: "They will be places of information and meeting between parents and dedicated medical teams who will be on site".
Another restriction, the inhabitants of these five cities of Hauts-de-France are invited to limit their movement to what is strictly necessary and to favor teleworking. A scenario worthy of Codogno, the main source of infections in Italy that we still looked at a few days ago with concern but distance. And that's not all.
Travel, concerts… all concerned
Unprecedented measure, all French people must postpone their non-essential trip, especially outside of Europe. Vigilance is also reinforced throughout the country with serial cancellations. Any event in a closed place with more than 5000 people must be deleted "because of the great crowding it implies", explains Jérôme Salomon. First, concerts and shows with a strong influence: "This ban potentially affects hundreds of concert halls in France and therefore thousands of cultural events," said Prodiss, the national union for musical and variety shows.
The Paris half-marathon, outdoors, but which drains people from all over France will not take place this Sunday, the agricultural show had to close its doors last night, a day earlier than expected. The Carnival of Annecy, in Haute-Savoie, like the trade fair for real estate professionals in Cannes are also added to the list. Since Saturday morning, TV spots have been looping to disseminate prevention advice to the population.
No mask without symptoms
The director general of health calls to "adopt good behavior" and to "change his habits": "The virus is easily caught by soiled hands, postilions, after blowing, sneezing". It will take imagination to greet each other without kissing or shaking hands. As for the wearing of the surgical mask, Jérôme Salomon was indignant at certain practices: "Stealing masks is shocking", he exclaimed. Besides, it is no longer recommended in the absence of symptoms. This was the case until now for those returning from infected areas. "This is not the right answer for the general public ... They are reserved for health and rescue personnel, for people at high risk in contact with the sick ...".
Quarantines lifted
Good news which may surprise all the more that it was the subject the day before of a contrary opinion from the High Council of Public Health: the quarantines are lifted for people returning from Italy and other red zones. Children, except in the six municipalities of Oise and Haute-Savoie, will also be able to resume school on Monday. This measure also concerns employees quarantined by their company, including caregivers. The Director General of Health, however, recommends that they avoid going, for example, to concerts and rubbing shoulders with the most fragile, elderly and chronically ill. Less funny, they will have to continue taking their temperature twice a day.
However, this cascade of exceptional measures in the country is cause for concern. "It is not the coronavirus that worries me, it is the panic that this will cause in people," says Dimitri, 32, who seriously thinks about getting food supplies. Never touched by this idea, he soon feared shortages in stores. Difficult to inform without frightening. Authorities have called for a council of European health ministers after WHO yesterday raised the threat to its highest level. However, the figures encourage us to keep our cool: the vast majority of patients have forms without any seriousness.