Jean Castex at Argenteuil hospital facing the "rising waters" of Covid-19 (Archives) -

Fred MARVAUX-POOL / SIPA

Jean Castex went to the Argenteuil hospital center (Val-d'Oise) early Tuesday evening, where he observed the "worrying rise in water levels" of Covid-19 during discussions with staff caregiver.

The head of government arrived at around 7.15 p.m. in this establishment which is part of a group of five hospitals between the south of Val-d'Oise and the north of Hauts-de-Seine, west of Paris.

Covid flows "are increasing slowly, but surely"

At Argenteuil hospital - the third most populous city in Ile-de-France - some 70 beds are devoted to hospitalization of coronavirus patients, compared to 240 in March and April 2020, at the height of the first wave.

"It is increasing slowly, but surely," replied Catherine Le Gall, the head of emergencies, to the Prime Minister who questioned him about the Covid flows of the last few days.

"It's a war of attrition," she added, pointing to the fatigue of the teams at the front for a year.

“We have more absenteeism.

We are a little worried about this rising tide, with this high rate of hospitalization.

It's intense over time, ”she insisted.

"It is a rising water level which is worrying", abounded the Prime Minister, after having navigated in the corridors of the service.

The director of the establishment favorable to the compulsory vaccine

The incidence rate of Covid-19 increased slightly in Ile-de-France, with 277.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to figures from the Regional Health Agency transmitted on Tuesday, against 269.7 the day before.

In total, 5,055 Covid patients are hospitalized in the region (5,030 the day before), including 798 in intensive care (782).

Localized resurgence of the epidemic led the executive to order lockdowns on Monday during the weekend in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Other “braking measures” are expected in Dunkirk, in consultation with local elected officials.

The director of the establishment, Bertrand Martin, pleaded for the vaccine to be made compulsory, highlighting in particular the low vaccination rate (30%) among nursing staff, while according to him, the number of doses available is not is "not the subject".

"We can deploy vaccination, if people do not get vaccinated, starting with caregivers, it brings trouble," observed Jean Castex.

“I understand that there are people who hesitate.

But marketing authorizations, pharmacovigilance, etc.

make that in France we are extremely careful, and with good reason.

In my soul and conscience I see that all precautions have been taken, "continued the Prime Minister, noting that the vaccine remained" the main weapon "against the virus.

Upcoming announcements on the strengthening of Ségur

Asked by a resuscitator on the strengthening of the Ségur de la Santé, which in particular provided an envelope of 8.2 billion euros for the revaluation of salaries, Jean Castex specified that announcements would be made "next week" concerning promised investments.

An envelope of 10 billion euros - already unveiled last July and including 6.5 billion in investment support, 2.5 billion over five years for priority hospital projects and 1.3 billion over three years to catch up with the delay on digital - will be detailed and distributed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health Olivier Véran.

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