The British variant, more contagious than the historical strain of Covid-19, would represent 20% of cases tested positive in France, and nearly 40% of those detected in Île-de-France.
However, the country's epidemic situation, despite very high monitoring indicators, continues to remain under control.
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The authorities are still on the alert because of the proliferation of the British variant of Covid-19.
It now represents 20% of cases detected at national level, and 40% of those in Île-de-France.
If it continues to spread, it has not yet caused the epidemic outbreak so feared by caregivers, or even a significant increase in hospitalizations.
This paradox is explained by the fact that the R0, that is the number of people infected by a positive person, remains around 1.04 currently.
Barrier gestures, teleworking and curfew are therefore sufficient for the moment to control the variants, which are still in the minority.
The South African and Brazilian variants, also detected in France, represent a total of 2.3% of positive cases.
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Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Wednesday February 10
A British variant that will become the majority by mid-March
The problem is, this British variant will inevitably take over.
"The variant, it is a certainty, replaces after a while the old virus. It has an advantage: it is transmitted better, and therefore we are practically sure that between the beginning and the middle of March we will meet more the British variant than the historical strain, "explains virologist Bruno Lina to Europe 1.
And that's when hospitals are likely to be under pressure, as the impact of vaccination will not yet be effective.
At the same time, the authorities hope to be able to keep control over the South African and Brazilian variants as long as possible.
Hence the strengthening of sequencing and screening to identify them, as well as the lengthening of the duration of isolation for those affected, which has been reduced from seven to ten days.