An eighth wave is looming.
The circulation of the Covid-19 virus has continued to progress in France since the rebound in the epidemic began in early September, and hospitalizations are also now increasing, health authorities indicated on Friday.
“The progression of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 continued on almost all of metropolitan territory”, summarized Public Health France in its epidemiological bulletin covering the period from September 19 to 25.
Still significant, the increase in contamination appeared less marked than the previous week.
But "we must remain cautious" and not consider at this stage that this "small slowdown" would predict a smaller wave, said Isabelle Parent, responsible for respiratory infections and vaccinations at SPF, during a press briefing.
The most recent data dates from Thursday when 51,366 new cases were recorded, against 38,464 a week earlier.
A rebound in the middle of the school year
After experiencing several waves since the start of the year, the Covid-19 epidemic had fallen to a particularly low level at the end of August, but contaminations have rebounded in recent weeks, in a context notably marked by the start of the school year.
In children under 10, the incidence rate, which rose sharply in the weeks after the start of the school year, now seems to have stabilized.
But all the other age groups are experiencing an increase, especially the elderly, at risk of severe forms.
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The growing circulation of the epidemic is affecting hospitals, where admissions, including critical care, have increased "for the second week in a row" and more strongly, according to Public Health France.
And the number of deaths continues to increase (173 in hospitals from September 19 to 25, +5% over one week).
Reinforce vaccination among the most vulnerable
Given "this acceleration of the circulation of Sars-COV-2", the health agency insists more than ever on the need to strengthen vaccination among the most fragile, including the elderly.
Only 34.8% of eligible 60-79 year olds and 48.3% of those aged 80 and over have had their second booster so far.
However, “the hospitalization rate for frail people can go up if they are less protected against severe forms due to the age of their previous dose”, warned Isabelle Parent.
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For French people at risk of a serious form and caregivers up to date with reminders, an additional dose is recommended from Monday, when a new campaign will start with vaccines adapted to Omicron.
Especially since beyond the Covid, “we are arriving in the cold season, conducive to the circulation of other respiratory viruses, influenza and bronchiolitis”, underlined Ms. Parent.
And these other epidemics can also weigh on hospitals.
