In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the coronavirus epidemic is picking up again.

The incident rate per 100,000 inhabitants has exceeded the alert threshold and further restriction measures may be taken.

While waiting for these possible decisions, local doctors are seeing the increase in cases.

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Health Minister Olivier Véran said he was "concerned" by the situation in the Pyrénées-Orientales on Thursday, traveling to Chambéry.

And for good reason: the incidence rate has risen to 210 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 inhabitants, or above the alert threshold.

Localized measures such as the return of the compulsory mask outdoors or even greater recourse to teleworking can therefore be taken by the local authorities.

"Everyone thought it was over but no!"

"It starts again very clearly", notes Sylvain Pavageau, doctor in Perpignan.

In his office, he reviews cases of Covid-19 and in the vaccination center in the city center, which he coordinates, many patients come for fear of an epidemic resumption.

"We have people who hesitated to be vaccinated, but who no longer hesitate since the numbers have increased," he assures us.

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Doctor Patrick Josa also sees new cases of coronavirus at the city's medical center.

"So far, we had zero. Yesterday out of 200 consultations, we had 25 suspicions and also proven cases of coronavirus," he says.

The profile is often the same: young adults and adolescents.

“Everyone thought it was over, but no!” Warns Patrick Josa.

On the beaches, ephemeral screening and vaccination centers 

And one of the reasons for this outbreak of contaminations is of course the arrival of the famous Delta variant, "much more contagious", affirms Sylvain Pavageau.

In tourist areas such as the Pyrénées-Orientales, it is therefore spreading much faster.

"This region lives from tourism and therefore from an important mixing of population", specifies this doctor.

Before continuing: "and then, we still see a decrease in significant barrier gestures".

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For the moment, there is no impact on hospitalizations, no serious cases. But the prefecture and the ARS have organized screenings on the beach and deployed ephemeral vaccination centers. Others could open next week to slow the rate of contamination.