The worst of the health crisis seems to have passed in nursing homes, where 8,564 people died from coronavirus. The daily number of deaths is now decreasing day by day in these particularly risky establishments: according to Jérôme Salomon, the Director General of Health, 82% of deaths occur in people over 70 years of age. Europe 1 takes stock of what we know about this improvement.
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Covid-19 cases in approximately every second Ehpad
First, not all Ehpad have been affected by the virus. Just under half of retirement homes, 45%, had at least one Covid case. The remaining 55%, particularly in regions with little infection, seem to be spared, or with asymptomatic cases.
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Indeed, the test campaigns carried out in a rather disparate way in nursing homes reveal a significant number of asymptomatic cases among staff, but also among residents, despite their sensitivity to the virus. At this stage, the mortality rate is around 1% of the 700,000 residents of Ehpad.
Vigilance in the coming months
Some Ehpad still struggle with several cases of Covid among their residents, but the general pressure decreases according to the directors of Ehpad. Witnesses to this lull: the 15th is no longer saturated, transfers to the hospital have been able to resume and screening tests for coronavirus are arriving in establishments. Another symbol, the authorization since last Monday of visits by relatives of residents.
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The challenge now is to monitor the residents' condition in the next two to three months. Organisms are tired after the stress of confinement and changes in lifestyle. The risk of rupture is therefore not negligible and the caregivers will be very attentive to this pivotal period, as after a heat wave.