- Relatively spared from the coronavirus epidemic, Finistère has seen the number of patients increase in recent times.
- Significant screening campaigns are carried out, but the ARS lacks the personnel to conduct these tests.
- The authorities ensure that the resumption of the epidemic is mainly linked to family and friendly reunions.
The situation is far from alarming but it is looked at very closely. In Finistère, "39 situations are monitored," said the Regional Health Agency on Monday during a joint press point with the prefecture. In the past week, the number of positive cases has gone up significantly in the department of West Brittany.
The region saw its effective reproductive indicator turn red, reaching 2.6. This means that a person with Covid-19 infects on average 2.6. The prefect sees a clear relaxation of the barrier gestures. "There are not enough people to wear the mask. Our concern is what happens in the private sphere. The barriers fall when you are confident with family or friends, ”said the prefect Pascal Lelarge.
To limit the spread of the virus in the department, the prefect had already imposed the wearing of the mask on certain foreign markets very crowded at this time of summer, but also in the enclosed places of the islands located offshore. A positive case was recorded on the Glénan archipelago, forcing the authorities to test 200 people this weekend. The number of screenings has also skyrocketed in recent times with 2,500 tests carried out in three days between July 16 and 18.
A new drive will open in Brest
The regional health agency that conducts screenings, however, faces a problem. "We lack arms to conduct the tests," laments Jean-Paul Mangeat, departmental director of ARS. The authorities therefore surveyed their reservists, health professionals and the fire brigade to find candidates. It will be necessary to convince quickly since a second screening center for Covid-19 in drive must open in Brest, where 44 cases have been recorded. "As soon as we are ready, maybe at the end of the week," said the departmental director.
In Finistère, the analysis capacity of the various public and private laboratories is estimated at 900 daily tests. The department is home to just under a million inhabitants but has seen its population increase during this holiday period, especially on the coast. The thesis of the arrival of new cases "imported" by external visitors, a track widely relayed on social networks, seems very marginal. "Most of the cases come from professional or family reunions," says the prefect.
In case of renewed epidemic, the prefect expects to see the department "turn orange" and warns: "It will be necessary to reorganize certain things". The reception of children in collective structures could be limited in number. And access to beaches be more scrutinized by mayors to reduce groupings.
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