The Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, was in Lyon, in the Rhône, on Monday to report on the health situation due to the coronavirus.
He went more specifically to Lyon-Bron airport, where transfers of patients with Covid-19 continue in the region most affected by the epidemic in France.
"I spoke of tremors a few days ago, we are now in a phase of regaining control, we are gradually reducing the epidemic. But as long as it is at this level, it can start again so we must not not stop, "said the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, Monday morning, in Lyon.
The peak of the second wave of coronavirus therefore seems to be reached and the news is reassuring.
But the situation remains very tense in the most affected region of France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where pressure in hospitals is still forcing the organization of patient transfers.
>>
LIVE
- Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Monday, November 16
The Minister of Health thus witnessed the transfer of two patients, aged 73 and 80, from the tarmac at Lyon-Bron airport.
This time they are sent to the hospital in La Rochelle, in New Aquitaine.
Beside them, two doctors and a nurse took their seats in this small fast plane for an hour's journey.
"These are two patients who have had an impairment justifying a rather heavy resuscitation for several days, for more than five days exactly. They are nevertheless stable in terms of resuscitation but with fairly complex treatments", explains one of the caregivers.
102 transfers in three weeks in the region
"I saw inside, it's quite remarkable. When you imagine that there are two patients, three caregivers, syringe pumps, oxygen, the ventilator, the space to do rescue if ever there were problems ... This plane saves lives and you are participating in it. Thank you very much ", commented Olivier Véran.
>> Find Europe midi every day in replay and podcast here
Transfers which have become a habit here: already 102 in three weeks for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region alone.
This represents just over two-thirds of all transfers that have taken place in the country since the start of the second wave.
And while it looks like the numbers are down, transfers will no doubt continue for the rest of this week.
The numbers of hospital admissions due to Covid-19 still remain high and the intensive care units of all establishments in the region are more than 90% full.