Five epidemiologists from the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in Méry-sur-Oise have started a long and meticulous job. Doctors are trying to establish the "chain of contamination" that led to nine residents being infected with Covid-19.
"The priority is to understand how the virus circulates, that traceability with extreme precision can be achieved," we explain to the ARS. This helps to contain the epidemic as much as possible. In Méry-sur-Oise, it seems that the famous "chain" is defined: all of the infected people live on the same street.
A strict and precise protocol
Epidemiologists follow a strict and precise protocol. They question the infected people about their actions, their movements made during the hours preceding the appearance of the first symptoms. "If they went to get bread, who they came across on the street, with whom they took the elevator, if they sneezed in the company of someone ...", details the ARS.
There are three categories of "contact cases". The first, "negligible", corresponds to people who have simply passed an infected person. The second, “weak”, groups together those who were “less than a meter” from a contaminated person. "Or who were able to receive postillions after a sneeze for example," says one to the ARS.
Finally, the last category concerns the “moderate-high”, who have had physical contact with a person carrying the coronavirus. "We call or meet all these people, whatever the category and we ask them to stay confined for 14 days, taking their temperature twice a day," says ARS.
"Our capacity is 600 tests per day"
Only people who have symptoms are screened. “We don't have the means to test everyone. It takes five hours; samples must be taken, sent to a laboratory, etc., says the ARS. At the moment, our capacity is 600 tests per day. It evolves daily. The goal is to save time. "
If a new case is detected, he is hospitalized according to the severity. Otherwise, he is invited to stay at home. “We simply ask him to wear a mask if he receives guests, explains the ARS, so as not to contaminate those around him. "