Never, in the space of a day, have there been so many people infected or as many deaths from coronavirus in France. 138 more cases and three additional deaths were announced Thursday evening.
But this progression was expected, logical ... "Inexorable. Such will be the arrival in France of the Covid-19 epidemic, according to Emmanuel Macron. The adjective chosen Thursday by the President of the Republic is not trivial and suggests the "harshness" of the weeks, even months to come.
A new milestone was indeed crossed on Thursday, with now more than 400 people infected in France - 423 exactly.
A deputy LR of the Haut-Rhin, Jean-Luc Reitzer, contaminated, was hospitalized. The services of the National Assembly are currently carrying out an investigation to find out the list of people with whom the parliamentarian has been in contact. Concern is mounting at the Palais-Bourbon since, in addition to the Alsatian elected official, an employee working at the refreshment bar is also a carrier of the coronavirus.
VIDEO. Elderly people facing coronavirus
Seven deaths, six men and one woman, are now to be deplored and 23 patients are in intensive care. So, what to do? "We can curb the spread and limit the impact very effectively by protecting the elderly in particular," says Professor Jérôme Salomon, Director General of Health.
The mutation of the virus in question
Other new information: the question of the mutation of the virus was raised. Indeed, a preliminary Chinese study finds this and indicates that its new version would be more dangerous than the previous one. Is that the case ? In this regard, the Director General of Health was measured: “You shouldn't worry about it, but beware of it. "
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"I discussed with the two officials of the national reference center for influenza, be careful, this is not a mutation, it is an evolution," said Jérôme Salomon. These are two different families, we do not know if these two viruses coexist, if they evolve towards each other or if we can have infections with both. And, for the moment, it has not been shown that one has a higher virulence than the other. He said studies were underway in France. Data may show "if there are differences in the ability of this virus to be aggressive".
Either way, the preventive measures are the same. The Director General of Health has already said this, but barrier gestures - from regular hand washing to limiting visits to our seniors when we are sick - remain the most effective. Individual responsibility and solidarity: the best weapons against the epidemic, according to Jérôme Salomon.