Covid19: why the Omicron variant could experience growth in France

Mélanie Faure 2:19 p.m., December 14, 2021

 The Christmas festivities are clouded by the specter of the Omicron variant. The coronavirus pandemic worries the executive, which took new measures on December 6 to stop the spread. The Omicron variant could experience "rapid growth in France" and its impact may be felt "in the coming weeks", the Scientific Council warned on Monday. A few days before Christmas, major events "which could lead to giant clusters" must therefore "be avoided", urged the advisory body.

The Scientific Council recalled the barrier gestures to be adopted and the rules to be put in place.

Thus, it is advisable to limit the number of participants, perform an antigen test or ask fragile and unvaccinated people to wear a mask.

Finally, the government invites the French to ventilate rooms and disinfect surfaces but also to be vaccinated. 

"We need to save time"

Olivier Guerin, head of the Geriatrics Pole at the University Hospital of Nice and member of the Scientific Council, Interviewed at the microphone of Europe 1, returned to the risks of the end-of-year celebrations.

"For the New Year, we will be in a period of progression of the Omicron variant, so it will be a question of avoiding clusters and therefore large gatherings", he explained.

"We need to gain time to prepare. We still have the Delta overload in hospitals, linked to the high incidence, which is just beginning to show a slowing down. We know that we still have it for several weeks. " 

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The United Kingdom, which is one of the countries in Europe most affected by the pandemic, announced yesterday a death due to the Omicron variant.

In France, there are currently 133 cases affected by Omicron.