The wave of Covid-19 linked to the Omicron variant is in "collapse", but the next lifting of restrictions remains scheduled for "mid-March" because "there are still too many" patients in hospitals, the Minister of Health confirmed on Sunday. Health, Olivier Véran.
According to the latest figures from Public Health France on Saturday, the number of positive cases stands at 86,000 on average over 7 days, down 76% since the peak reached on January 25.
“For several weeks, we have seen a collapse of the Omicron wave, which reduces its pace by two each week,” Olivier Véran told the RTL-Le Figaro-LCI Grand Jury.
The Minister also underlined the "decrease in the health burden (with) fewer and fewer patients in hospitals": there are still 28,600 (-14% since February 7), including 2,900 in critical care (-27% since January 12).
But “there are still too many to say that it is over and to remove all the measures”, he added, estimating “that by mid-March the hospital and epidemic conditions will allow us to remove the mask inside and to remove all or part of the vaccination pass where it is still in force today”.
A fourth dose of vaccine ruled out for the moment
The “precise scope” of this easing of restrictions “will depend on what we observe within two weeks”, indicated Olivier Véran, denying any link between this calendar and the presidential election in April: “This does not is in no way a political decision, in the sense that it does not adapt to the electoral situation”.
The minister also immediately ruled out the possibility of a fourth dose of anti-Covid vaccine, which "is not necessary today" according to the health authorities, while considering "very quietly" to do so. resort if it becomes "absolutely necessary".
Nothing suggests it for the moment, especially since "it is the first time in a long time that there is not a variant" reported by the World Health Organization "which would be in the process of explode in a distant country with the risk of causing a European wave".
“That does not mean that it will not happen, but at the (current) time we have a fairly clarified situation”, underlined Olivier Véran.
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Variant Omicron
Olivier Veran
Covid-19
Covid vaccine
Coronavirus
Health
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