- The president LR of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes announced several actions in order to limit the propagation of the coronavirus in the Ehpad of the region, in connection with the ARS and the departments.
- In particular, screening tests will begin next week in the establishments most affected by Covid-19.
- Masks will be distributed in large quantities for residents and staff.
"The situation in our retirement homes is a situation of distress". This Friday morning, President LR of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Laurent Wauquiez, announced the establishment, in conjunction with the departments and the ARS, of several actions intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus in Ehpad.
From April 10, tests to detect the PCR type virus (cotton swab in the nose) will begin in retirement homes in the region. And this, thanks to the mobilization of the bioMérieux group, requested by the region a fortnight ago. "Alexandre and Alain Mérieux have reserved specific and very important lots for the Ehpad," said Laurent Wauquiez. With the delivery of the first 15,000 batches expected, the region will be able to launch a screening campaign, supervised by the Regional Health Agency, starting next week.
The objective is to screen all 81,000 residents of Ehpad
These tests, which will be carried out gradually, according to the criteria of the Ministry of Health, will first be carried out in establishments most affected by the virus for the time being. However, the stated objective is to allow screening of all of the 81,000 residents accommodated in nursing homes in the region and of 50,000 staff.
"We start with a number of Ehpad, one in each department, and we will gradually ramp up," added Jean-Yves Grall, Director General of ARS, recalling the objectives of these tests. Namely "isolate people with those who are not, so as to limit the spread of the virus". The screenings carried out will then be analyzed in 24 laboratories distributed in the various departments of the region. This measure is financed by a fund of 20 million euros, matched equally by the region and the ARS.
Masks distributed in retirement homes
Beyond the tests, 900,000 surgical masks and FFP2 will be distributed from this Friday in the thousand retirement homes in the region and home help services, mobilized to carry meals to the elderly. This equipment, which hospitals and nursing homes have been sorely lacking since the start of the health crisis, will be intended for residents and staff. This action, funded by the region and the departments, which are also very active in limiting the spread of the virus on their territories, is in addition to a first order made by Laurent Wauquiez teams in conjunction with the ARS.
"The first 500,000 masks are being distributed to physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, midwives and paramedics in the region," said Laurent Wauquiez. A partnership should also be established with an industrialist in the region, who is now able to produce 300,000 gowns per day. Protective equipment which staff in nursing homes and hospitals also greatly lack.
Our file on the coronavirus
"I remind you that we are not in the normal competence of the region but in this period, we must join forces", underlined Laurent Wauquiez, recalling that the cooperation with the departments and the ARS started from the beginnings of the 'epidemic. A health crisis that has not spared the Ehpad, on which no figures have been given this week by the ARS, Public Health France having decided to communicate alone now on the subject. An epidemiological bulletin is expected to be released this Friday and will provide more information on the impact of the coronavirus in the region, where several establishments have reported multiple deaths in recent weeks.
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- Coronavirus
- Covid 19
- Society
- Lyon
- Laurent wauquiez
- Ehpad
- The elderly