If, according to the tests, it is proven that the Omicron variant has contaminated 4.5 million French people since its emergence, this figure would not be representative of reality.
Indeed, according to an opinion of the Scientific Council published this Thursday, January 20, only a third or half of the contaminations would be detected by a test.
The number of positive cases at Omicron would then rather be between 9 and 14 million since December.
A “
level of infections is exceptional over such a short period in the history of the epidemic
”, comments the Scientific Council.
“
As a reminder, it is estimated that the number of contaminations during the 1st wave (March April 2020) was around 3 million
”, he adds.
Read alsoCovid-19: 3 million daily cases worldwide with Omicron
Indeed, the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant sets it apart from the others. But this is not its only characteristic: it has also been established that the serious forms are less important and that the vaccination coverage, although limited for infections without a booster dose, is still effective against the serious forms.
“
Normally, in mid-February, a broad post-infectious immunity will be added to the immunity induced by the third dose/booster
”, the Council informed. Its impact on the healthcare system will continue until mid-March 2022. Until then, we must not let our guard down, remind the members. According to them, it is not yet possible to “
say that a sufficient level of herd immunity will be reached and that it will be durable to protect effectively against a new variant
”.
If the relevance of the tests has been questioned, the Scientific Council recommends keeping the current system for the coming weeks.
According to him, “
this system will allow behavioral changes in positive people with an impact on the epidemic
”.
The scientific council also reiterated “
its positive position
” in favor of transforming the health pass into a vaccination pass “
despite the restrictions on associated freedoms, provided that this decision is proportionate in view of the health crisis
”.
The vaccination pass must come into force on Monday January 24, subject to the decision of the Constitutional Council expected this Friday.
