"The balance is fragile and we can switch at any time towards an uncontrolled resumption of the Covid-19 epidemic in France" warns in its new opinion the Scientific Council, which guides the government in the management of the health crisis.
This document, delivered to the government on July 27, was made public on Tuesday. Its title leaves little room for doubt: “Prepare now to anticipate a return of the virus in the fall”. The body believes that "the future of the epidemic in the short term is largely in the hands of citizens" and still considers "highly likely that a second epidemic wave will be observed in the fall or winter. "The establishment of a prevention, care and follow-up plan is in this sense" a major element ".
The Scientific Council also considers in this document submitted to the government on July 27 that "the virus is circulating in a more active way, with an accentuated loss of distancing measures and barrier measures: the balance is fragile and we can switch at any time in a less controlled scenario as in Spain for example ”.
"Slowness" in accessing tests
To ward off a second epidemic wave, the Scientific Council is asking the authorities to put in place “prevention plans” focusing in particular on the largest metropolises. He also points to "delays" in the strategy of testing, tracing and isolating positive cases. He therefore recommends improving “access to screening tests”, the deadlines for which are currently too long due to strong demand.
In a second separate opinion, the body also proposes a stricter control of travelers arriving from countries "at risk", with tests on their departure or arrival and a quarantine of 14 days.
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