The English variant, probably more contagious, represents around 1% of positive Covid-19 tests in France, according to the preliminary results of a survey conducted over two days last week, the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran announced on Tuesday.
France is worried about the risk of the spread of the English variant, which is probably more contagious.
Specific tests are performed to determine its prevalence.
represents about 1% of positive tests for Covid-19 in France, according to the preliminary results of a survey carried out over two days last week, Minister of Health Olivier Véran said on Tuesday.
The objective of these tests is to map the diffusion on the territory of this variant as well as its evolution.
The maneuver will be repeated regularly.
No region concentrating many cases
The virologist Bruno Lina, who coordinates this survey, "told me yesterday that he found about 1% of variant of English origin among the positive PCRs in France", affirmed Olivier Véran during a hearing before the commission of social affairs of the Senate.
We observe "a territorial dispersion which means that there is no region which would concentrate many cases", he continued.
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This investigation, the detailed results of which have not yet been made public, covers all PCR tests positive for Covid-19 for the days of Thursday and Friday.
It aims to establish "a first mapping" of the distribution of the English variant in France, explained the health agency Public Health France Friday.
A different analysis from PCR tests
As part of the investigation, all positive samples from Thursday and Friday were reanalyzed using a specific PCR technique, that of the company Thermo Fischer.
Unlike other PCRs, this analysis reacts differently if we are in the presence of the variant.
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After this first filter, the suspect samples must be subjected to genetic sequencing which categorically determines whether or not it is the variant.
"It is an operation which will be renewed very regularly, every 7 to 10 days approximately", declared Olivier Véran, according to whom "it is very interesting, very useful", because "it makes it possible to monitor if there is growth of this variant ".