Health Minister Olivier Véran during his press conference on September 17, 2020. -

AFP

As the Prime Minister last week, the Minister of Health confirmed this Thursday on the occasion of the resumption of his weekly press briefing: "The epidemic is now very active in our country".

Recognizing “organizational difficulties” in terms of Covid-19 screening, Olivier Véran once again made a point of preparing the French.

“We have to learn to live with the virus for a few more months.

With acute phases and phases of calm ”, he declared.

A difficult cohabitation which could be accompanied by new restrictions in certain territories.

Gatherings, opening of bars and restaurants, wearing of the compulsory mask for nursery professionals, the Minister of Health announced several health developments.

What are they and what should we take away from this conference? 

20 Minutes 

takes stock.

  • Why the situation worries the authorities

According to the minister, "all indicators show a progression of the epidemic".

The incidence rate of contamination is "steadily rising": "Last night it was 83 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

It was at 10 at the end of July, ”he said.

The speed of circulation of the virus is of particular concern to the government.

If it has not yet reached the level measured during the epidemic peak last March, the increase is there.

"The virus circulates very actively among 15-45 year olds but above it is circulating more and more", added Olivier Véran.

Today, according to data measured by the ministry, a sick person infects two other people every two weeks.

  • Cities in the government's sights

In some areas, the “incidence rate” is now greater than 150 or 200. “The alert threshold we had established at 50 cases per 100,000.

53 departments have exceeded this threshold (…) in some cities, we are well beyond.

It's six times that threshold in Marseille.

Five times in Guadeloupe, three times in Paris, ”announced the Minister of Health.

To respond to this situation, restriction measures will be decided locally by Saturday for the cities of Lyon and Nice, where the coronavirus is circulating at a worrying level, said Olivier Véran.

In addition, "if the health situation does not improve" in Marseille and Guadeloupe, where measures have already been adopted, "it will no doubt be necessary to take even stronger measures", warned the minister, citing "the possible closing bars ”or“ banning public gatherings ”.

If the critical thresholds have not yet been reached in Lille, Toulouse, Rennes, Dijon and Paris, the minister signaled that the authorities would remain "extremely attentive" to the evolution of the epidemic in these metropolises.

  • Ways to improve tests

The object of strong criticism in the strategy to fight the coronavirus, screening should be stepped up.

Yes

1,200,000 tests have already been carried out over a week in France, this figure is set to increase according to Véran.

Twenty collection centers open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. will thus be deployed in Île de France for priority audiences from next Monday.

In addition, 5 million antigenic tests have been ordered for the beginning of October, announced the Minister and an experiment will be carried out in Ile-de-France.

“You won't see the difference (…) the operator can directly do the analysis with a result in less than 30 minutes.

It could become a useful complement, especially in screening strategies, ”he announced.

Saliva tests, on the other hand, have not yet been the subject of an opinion from the high health authority to determine for which public they should be intended.

  • Announcements on nurseries and schools

Finally, Olivier Véran announced a change in health measures for nursery professionals.

Until now, they had to wear the mask only in the presence of parents.

From now on, these employees will also have to wear it with children.

“Wearing a mask will now be compulsory for all nursery professionals, including in the presence of children,” he said, indicating that he wanted to limit contamination from adults to children by this measure.

A new measure which should, according to him, "allow in the next few days to relax the health protocol in schools and nurseries," he continued without further clarification.

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  • Marseilles

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