They are in the sights of the health authorities. “Young people” are today the most affected by coronavirus contaminations. Why? Some point to the consequence of poor communication; others, a relaxation. Either way, a doctor thinks he has the solution to contain the epidemic. Djillali Annane, head of intensive care at Garches hospital (Hauts-de-Seine), wants to make screening tests systematic for 15-40 year olds before the start of the school year. A very complicated measure to put in place.
Have other countries done it?
No. In the most advanced countries on the Covid-19 front, testing is mandatory only at airports. In France, anyone returning from a country where “viral circulation is particularly strong” and appearing on a “red list” must therefore be subject to a test since August 1.
Would it be legal to make these tests mandatory?
Bringing such a measure into law would not be easy, according to Bertrand Mathieu, French professor and lawyer, specialist in constitutional law. "It is not strictly impossible because there are compulsory vaccinations and a test is not necessarily more complicated", he assures. But two points could well be problematic. “There is the risk that this measure will be seen as a disproportionate constraint,” he describes. The judge will have to check whether there is a mismatch between the goal pursued and the interference with liberty, but it seems fairly obvious. "
Second problem, the risk of discrimination of a category of individuals. "It will be necessary to determine whether the difference in treatment of this category of people is justified," continues the specialist. Why would we have to be tested at 40 and over at 41? "
How many people could be affected?
In France, according to INSEE, on January 1, 2020, the share of 15-39 people was nearly 20 million people. Currently, in France, 500,000 people are tested every week, according to Public Health France.
How much would it cost?
It is difficult to know precisely what would be the cost of such a decision. As a reminder, a PCR test costs 54 euros, currently funded entirely by the State.
Is it necessary from a health point of view?
Experts are divided on this issue. “The positivity of this test is extremely reduced over time. The risk therefore, when we have finished testing the entire population, is that we will have to start again, assures Lionel Barrand, president of the National Union of Young Medical Biologists. For the test to be effective, it must be done at the right time, namely when the person has symptoms, and not too late because we have PCRs that are negative when the virus is eliminated via the lungs or elsewhere… ”
François Blanchecotte, president of the National Union of Biologists, supports the idea that young people must be screened massively, even if he does not want to make it an obligation. “The government's doctrine was based on symptomatic individuals but with the holidays, the virus has been able to gain traction, and there are few consultations for symptoms of Covid. Above all, one in two positive is asymptomatic, so that's why we have to go looking for young people, ”he notes. According to the latest figures from Public Health France, among the 8,516 positive cases in week 32 (from August 3 to 9, 2020), 53% were asymptomatic.
Is it technically feasible?
For François Blanchecotte, as for Djillali Annane at the origin of this idea, to test young people massively, you have to go and meet them. "We have already set up centers in taverns, in resorts for young people," he explains.
But French laboratories are already in great tension, recalls Lionel Barrand. Even if, since the end of July, nursing assistants, health students, first-aiders and lab technicians have also been taking samples, the arms are still missing. "And then we are not going to put a police officer behind each young person," frowns François Blanchecotte. It is especially necessary to do pedagogy and especially with positive people. "