A paramedical professional from Béarn and a general practitioner from the Basque Country are suspected of having continued their activity while knowing they were contaminated by the coronavirus. The order of doctors was notified, and the justice, seized.

The prefect of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Eric Spitz, announced Thursday that he had seized the prosecutors of Pau and Bayonne in the case of two caregivers suspected of having continued their activities while knowing they were contaminated by the coronavirus.

In Béarn, "he is a paramedical professional", neither a doctor nor a nurse, therefore, who is suspected of having exercised while ignoring the virus, said AFP Cécile Gensac, public prosecutor in Pau. This caregiver, who practices "in the conurbation of Pau", is the subject of a preliminary investigation opened by the prosecution in Pau, "for initial checks".

On the side of the Basque Country, the prosecutor of the Republic of Bayonne Jérôme Bourrier was seized about a general practitioner who practiced in his office, in Boucau, municipality of 8,300 inhabitants. "The report made by the prefect about a week ago states that he would have continued to exercise after being tested positive for Covid-19," he said, confirming information from the local press.

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"Endangering the lives of others"

The respondent, Dr. Gilles Lassabe, accused by a letter from the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of "endangering the lives of others", says he is "shocked" and claims to have "done everything that "it was necessary", respecting the sanitary rules. He is notably accused of having campaigned in municipal elections, even though he had been diagnosed with Covid +.

"I had a patient hospitalized who I received in my office. On the 10th, the hospital confirmed to me that he was positive so immediately I started in the fortnight, I stopped working in my office and I stopped my elected activities, "assured the AFP doctor, also assistant to the mayor of Boucau. Tested on March 11 at the hospital in Bayonne, the doctor from Boucau will be declared positive two days later.

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Elected officials contaminated, some in intensive care

Since then, the mayor of Boucau, Francis Gonzalez, as well as an assistant, have been resuscitated in the Covid + service of the Basque Coast hospital. Ten more of his running mate have been contaminated and are, or have been, in containment.

First assistant Marie-Josée Roques had several symptoms and, without testing her, the hospital advised her to stay confined. Another elected candidate for municipal elections on a competing list was also hospitalized for a week in Bayonne.

After his 14 days off, Dr. Lassabe resumed his activities. "I am outraged by these malicious letters intended to harm, during this electoral period," he told AFP. A preliminary investigation, entrusted to the gendarmerie of Bayonne, was opened. The order of physicians has also been notified.

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