While experts anticipate an outbreak of new cases of coronavirus following the end of the year celebrations, some elected officials and doctors are already calling for new confinement.

At the microphone of Europe 1 on Saturday, the head of the emergency department of the Lille CHRU Patrick Goldstein called on the population to remain on the alert.

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In France, more than 20,000 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the past 24 hours, and contaminations could well take off again after the reunion of the end of year celebrations.

"The error would be to believe that the virus has gone on vacation or that January 1, 2021 will be different from December 31, 2020", loose Patrick Goldstein, head of emergency at the CHRU Lille, at the microphone of Europe 1 on Saturday.

He calls on the French to stay alert and to redouble their vigilance.

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"No one really knows what's going to happen."

Some elected officials and doctors are already asking for immediate re-containment, especially in the Grand Est region, where the number has increased rapidly in recent weeks.

"We shouldn't expect anything from the vaccine for several months. In the meantime, let's not forget that patients continue to arrive in the emergency room, in intensive care."

"It's not about statistics anymore"

The doctor at the Lille CHRU describes days devoted entirely to the care of Covid patients.

"Today I spent my day in the hospital, I hospitalized three 55-year-old patients in intensive care. So you're going to tell me it's 'only' three patients… but no. When you go into intensive care for a Covid, it is no longer about statistics. "

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Patrick Goldstein once again reminds us that the epidemic "is far from over".

"We must keep this absolute caution and maintain barrier gestures and social distancing. Telework at the end of the holidays, it will absolutely have to be maintained."

Beyond teleworking and barrier gestures, other countries in Europe are already going further.

In Austria, Northern Ireland and Scotland a new confinement starts on Saturday morning.