It was a little back-to-school day for Olivier Véran, this Thursday.
The Minister of Health held an update on the Covid-19 epidemic, destined to become weekly, in a context of resumption of circulation of the virus.
The minister in particular drew up an inventory of the epidemic in the country, outlined the measures to come, in particular at the local level, and announced an upcoming relaxation of the health protocol in schools.
"Acceleration of the circulation of the virus"
“For several weeks we have been observing an acceleration in the circulation of the virus,” warns Olivier Véran.
So much so that today, "the epidemic is once again very active in our country".
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"All the indicators show a progression of the epidemic", he adds, citing the rate of reproduction, the rate of positivity of the tests but especially the rate of incidence.
Nationally, it was 83 cases per 10,000 inhabitants on Thursday, when it was 40 at the end of August and 10 at the end of July.
“Territorialized” responses
The minister pointed to "significant differences" between regions in the circulation of the virus.
And announced future measures, decided at the local level, in consultation between the prefects and local elected officials.
In Lyon (Rhône) and Nice (Alpes-Maritimes), where we observe a “very high incidence rate” with a “strong impact among those over 65”, specific measures must be proposed “from now on Saturday ".
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In Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône) and Guadeloupe, "if the health situation does not improve", "even stronger" measures will have to be taken as of next week, including the "possible closure of bars" and "The ban on public assembly".
Finally, in Lille (Nord), Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), Dijon (Côte-d'Or) and Paris, where the "incidence rate is high", including among over 65, but the critical threshold is "not yet reached", the executive will "be extremely attentive" to the development of the situation, argues the minister.
Relaxation of rules at school
According to Olivier Véran, the health authorities observe "little propagation from child to child".
Based on this observation, the government wants to "relax the health protocol in schools and nurseries".
Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of Education, will be responsible for detailing to what extent this relaxation will take place.
The only certainty is that the comrades of a positive child will be able to return to school.
A rule that should not hold in the event of an "obvious chain of transmission", with several contaminations within the same class.
Asked about this, Olivier Véran also calls to send his child to class if he has symptoms of a cold, without fever.
"In case of doubt, we call the doctor but we educate our child," he says.
New test centers
"There are traffic jams" around the test centers, concedes the Minister, pointing in particular to the situation of "metropolises".
Olivier Véran has therefore announced the establishment of around twenty new screening sites, while calling for "not too much" to be tested. "The test is not a barrier gesture", he said. , stressing the need to “give priority to priorities”.
