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Covid-19, what you need to know this week: waiting for the peak of the wave

2022-01-27T08:41:15.906Z


While the number of cases continues to increase, the end of the epidemic is nevertheless envisaged. Hello, The peak of the fifth wave is long overdue but experts seem confident. The extreme contagiousness of Omicron and its little brother, BA-2 , and the widespread vaccination of the population give hope that collective immunity will soon be sufficient for a return to normal life. It is the bet of Denmark as of England. In France, the signals are discordant: the timetable for lifting the restri


Hello,

The peak of the fifth wave is long overdue but experts seem confident.

The extreme contagiousness of Omicron and its little brother,

BA-2

, and the widespread vaccination of the population give hope that

collective immunity

will soon be sufficient for a return to normal life.

It is the bet of Denmark as of England.

In France, the signals are discordant: the timetable for

lifting the restrictions

was announced a few days before the entry into force of the

vaccination pass

.

The latter must be limited in time, insisted the Constitutional Council.

Finally, the antiviral treatment

Paxlovid

from Pfizer arrives in France, but beware, its use is limited.

Good reading,

Camille Lestienne, journalist at

Le Figaro

1. The upturn for spring?

With 60% of the population infected by spring, the WHO considers “plausible” an end to the pandemic in Europe.

GONZALO FUENTES / REUTERS

Last wave?

400,000, 500,000, the number of cases explodes all records. With its extreme contagiousness, the Omicron variant could affect 60% of the European population by spring and revives the hope of collective immunity. Especially since a sub-variant of Omicron, named BA-2, has appeared, particularly in Denmark, and seems even more transmissible without being more dangerous. So what do the next few months have in store for us? Scientists, who have spoken in recent days, compete ... uncertainty. The WHO considers “plausible” an end to the pandemic in Europe, but experts are concerned about the carelessness favored by these reassuring predictions. In any case, and while the number of hospitalized patients has again crossed the 30,000 patient mark, the pressure on the hospital should continue untilin mid-March, estimates Professor Delfraissy, President of the Scientific Council. And this even if the hospitalization figures seem overestimated with the taking into account of patients hospitalized with the Covid and not because of the Covid. This hitherto marginal share of patients has increased sharply since the arrival of Omicron. These positive patients but hospitalized for another pathology now represent 25% of all people counted.These positive patients but hospitalized for another pathology now represent 25% of all people counted.These positive patients but hospitalized for another pathology now represent 25% of all people counted.

To read alsoWhy some have never had and will never have the Covid?

The figures to remember in France

  • 3,712

    patients in critical care (-29 since the day before)

  • 30,624

    hospitalized patients (+435 since the day before)

  • 428,008

    new cases detected in 24 hours (compared to 436,167 last Wednesday)

  • 258

    deaths in 24 hours in hospital (129,747 dead since the start of the epidemic)

Source: Public Health France as of January 26

Read alsoThe difficult calculation of mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic

Absenteeism

. With the proliferation of work stoppages, however, Omicron disrupts economic life. The resurgence of the epidemic forces companies to juggle with absenteeism which reaches double, and sometimes five times the usual rate of 5%, reports the economic service of

Figaro

. Human resources must strive to maintain continuity of service in banks, telecoms, energy, retail or transport. “

Every morning, I wake up wondering who will be able to come to work

, explains the manager of a hotel.

In the absence of my two employees, it is I who will have to combine the jobs.

In addition, the government has released exceptional aid for the self-employed whose activity is penalized by the fifth wave of Covid.

Read alsoOmicron: inflation and health uncertainty weigh on global growth

2. Pass installs

The vaccination pass came into effect on January 24.

ERIC GAILLARD / REUTERS

Pass validated

. Contrary to a certain optimism that is taking hold in public opinion, the vaccination pass came into force at the start of the week. But for how long? The Elders who validated its principle last Friday, demanded in their opinion that it be

“ended”

to the vaccination pass

“without delay”

when

it “will no longer be necessary”

before the deadline of July 31. Gabriel Attal began yesterday to detail the conditions required for the lifting of the vaccine pass. The hospital situation will be "

justice of the peace

", he said. It will take “

a return to a form of normality

” in the hospital and the end of the deprogramming of operations to consider the end of the device.

In the meantime, pay attention to the date of February 15, when the deadline for carrying out the booster dose will be reduced to a maximum of four months after the last injection or contamination.

According to Olivier Véran, nine million people could lose their pass if they do not make an appointment by then.

Read alsoCovid-19: is the vaccination pass really useful for controlling the epidemic?

Restrictions lifted.

If the timetable for lifting the vaccination pass is not known, that of the gradual end of the restrictions was announced last Thursday: February 2 for the end of the outdoor mask and the three days of teleworking, and February 16 for the reopening of nightclubs and the relaxation of the protocol in bars and transport. Announcements variously received by scientists. “

It would be better to wait a few weeks, for everything to come down again and for the resumption of control to be really assured.

“, believes Antoine Flahault.

On the other hand, at school, no modification of the health protocol before the February holidays, said yesterday Wednesday the Minister of National Education.

Other countries are getting ahead of us: England begins a return to normal life this Thursday while Denmark intends to lift its restrictions on February 1 despite a record number of contaminations.

Read alsoCovid-19: is the gradual lifting of health measures more or less rapid than with our neighbours?

3. A vaccine but also a treatment

A Red Cross vaccination truck comes to meet people in rural areas.

Le Figaro

Vaccine campaign.

While 78% of the population is now vaccinated, the vaccination of children is struggling to start.

To facilitate the procedure, the agreement of only one parent is again sufficient for 5-11 year olds.

On January 9, less than 3% of 5-11 year olds with at least one comorbidity had received a first dose when less than 5% of this age group as a whole had received it.

As for isolated people who do not have access to a vaccination centre, means are put into action to get as close as possible to them.

Le Figaro

followed a Red Cross truck that criss-crossed the Rennes region.

Their record?

A 101-year-old man, for a first vaccination.

Useful work as an American study confirms the effectiveness of vaccines against serious forms due to Omicron.

Hospitalizations would be 81% avoided after a double injection and 90% 14 days or more after the third.

In contrast, effectiveness against infections dropped to 68%.

The numbers to remember

  • 53.9 million

    people received a first dose (79.9% of the population).

  • 52.6 million

    French people have a complete vaccination schedule (78% of the population).

  • 34.5 million

    booster doses administered.

Source: Ministry of Health as of January 26

Processing.

The other tool to fight the epidemic is the antiviral treatment Paxlovid from Pfizer authorized by the High Authority for Health (HAS) last Friday.

A drug primarily intended for populations at risk, in particular immunocompromised people, administered orally and to be taken very soon after the positive diagnosis for Covid-19.

Despite its good results, however, it is not a miracle pill.

It has many limitations.

It would be contraindicated in people suffering from severe hepatic or renal insufficiency and in pregnant women.

It could also be incompatible with certain current treatments.

Read alsoCovid-19: has the cost of screening tests really exceeded one billion euros per month?

4. The quote

In the interim there is everything.

There are excellent doctors and people who are there only to line their pockets.

Our medical system cannot rely solely on temporary workers.

Dr Laurent Maillard, head of the emergency department of the intercommunal hospital of Marmande (Lot-et-Garonne)

Acting galore

. Failing to find tenured doctors, some hospitals now only operate with temporary workers paid at a high price. A phenomenon established for years against which the government wants to fight. But the Covid crisis has postponed the application of a law capping the remuneration of these doctors whom Olivier Véran describes as “mercenaries”. In a long investigation, Cécile Thibert of the Sciences department of

Figaro

, explores the reasons and the repercussions of this slow drift. Good to know: none of the interviewed holders throws stones at these doctors who made this choice.

“With 4 or 5 shifts per month, you have the salary of a doctor who has worked full time, less the cost of organizing the service and monitoring patients.

Some no longer see any reason to stay in the public service”,

underlines one of them.

5. Calendar, pass and masks

Calendar.

On January 20, the government announced a timetable for the gradual lifting of restrictions.

February 2

: end of compulsory teleworking, gauges and wearing a mask outdoors.

February 16:

reopening of nightclubs and reduced protocol in bars, stadiums, cinemas and transport.

Vaccination pass.

Since January 24, the vaccination pass is required for people over 16 to go to places of leisure, restaurants and drinking establishments (with the exception of collective catering), fairs, seminars and trade shows. and inter-regional public transport (planes, trains, coaches) unless there is a compelling reason.

The health pass remains valid for minors aged 12 to 15 and for access to health establishments and medico-social services.

The vaccination pass is activated by proof of complete vaccination or a recovery certificate stored in the TousAntiCovid application or in paper format.

Read alsoDates, places, people concerned … What changes this Monday with the vaccine pass

Wearing a mask

is compulsory in closed places subject to the vaccination pass and outside when distancing is not possible (markets, queues, station platforms, etc.).

Since January 3, this obligation concerns children from 6 years old and no longer 11 years old.

The mask is compulsory in primary schools both outside and inside.

A certificate to travel.

Since July 1, 2021, Europeans can travel more easily within the continent thanks to certified proof of vaccination or negative tests gathered in a single document.

In digital or paper format.

Please note, however, that each country may continue to apply specific rules.

Read alsoWhere can we travel?

Our map of open countries and restrictions for French tourists

6. The reflexes to keep

The virus is transmitted by droplets and aerosols.

The barrier gestures detailed by the Ministry of Health must be observed to protect themselves and others:

  • Wash your hands regularly or use hydroalcoholic gel

  • Cough or sneeze into the crease of your elbow

  • Use single-use tissues

  • Wear a mask in public spaces when the distance of two meters cannot be respected

  • Avoid touching your face

  • Air the rooms as often as possible, at least a few minutes every hour

  • Greet without shaking hands and stop kissing

7. What to do in case of symptoms?

The disease is most often manifested by cough, fever or feeling feverish, loss of smell and taste, fatigue.

If after a few days, you have trouble breathing or are out of breath, you should contact 15. The symptoms would be lighter with the Omicron variant, similar to those of a cold: sore throat, headache, runny nasal.

Read alsoCovid-19: what to do when you are a “contact case”?

In case of signs of the disease, the most important thing is to get tested.

The test, PCR or antigen, remains free for non-vaccinated people on medical prescription or after having been identified as a contact case by Health Insurance.

In the event of a positive result on a self-test, a confirmation PCR test is recommended.

While waiting for the result, you must isolate yourself, wear a mask and prepare the list of people you could have infected.

If the test is positive,

isolation must last 7 days

from the first symptoms for vaccinated people,

10 days

for unvaccinated people.

It can be broken on D+5 or D+7 respectively, if you have a negative test and you have had no symptoms for 48 hours.

Read alsoYou have just learned that you are positive for Covid-19, what to do?

See you next week.

Source: lefigaro

All tech articles on 2022-01-27

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