Covid-19 in France: faced with a deteriorating situation, "it is important to anticipate"

INTERVIEW

Reunion and Martinique are re-defining.

But why are the contamination figures exploding?

Guest from Europe 1, Philippe Amouyel, epidemiologist and professor of public health at Lille University Hospital, evokes several reasons.

Among them, a relaxation of barrier measures, and a low vaccination rate in the territories concerned.

Faced with a situation that is degenerating in various places, the epidemiologist invites the authorities to anticipate.

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Young people, particularly affected

The situation is worrying overseas, but also in several departments of France - especially in the Grand Est - where the incidence rate reaches 50 per 100,000 inhabitants.

According to the ARS, young people between 20 and 29 years old are the most affected.

A phenomenon which, according to Philippe Amouyel, is mainly explained by the calendar of the vaccination campaign.

"This is where the virus circulates the most," says Philippe Amouyel.

"This population under 50 was able to start being vaccinated from June 15, so it has not yet had time to have its two-dose process," continues the epidemiologist.

"So the traffic is heavy."

"Prepare to put in place restrictive measures"

If the situation in these eastern regions has nothing to do with that encountered in certain overseas territories, Philippe Amouyel mentions worrying thresholds, particularly in the Bas Rhin where the incidence rate is 160, "with peaks on the big cities".

Indeed, he says, Strasbourg has an almost double rate.

"Hence the idea of ​​possibly starting to prepare to put in place restrictive measures."

"It is important to try to anticipate," insists Philippe Amouyel.

"This decision to eventually put in place restrictions could be a tool to reduce traffic."