The Scientific Council warned on Tuesday August 4 that "the balance [was] fragile and [that] we can switch at any time" towards an uncontrolled resumption of the Covid-19 epidemic in France.

"The future of the epidemic in the short term is largely in the hands of citizens," warns the body, which guides the government, in a new opinion released Tuesday. And, beyond the situation this summer, the Scientific Council still considers "highly likely that a second epidemic wave will be observed in the fall or winter."

"France is in a controlled but fragile situation, with an upsurge in the circulation of the virus this summer", writes the Scientific Council in the introduction to this opinion entitled "Prepare now to anticipate a return of the virus in the fall".

"The virus is circulating in a more active way, with an accentuated loss of distancing measures and barrier measures: the balance is fragile and we can switch at any time in a less controlled scenario as in Spain for example", he continues in this document submitted to the government on July 27.

Indicators on the rise

In recent weeks, the authorities have warned of a possible worsening of the situation, in the light of rising indicators, nearly three months after the end of confinement.

The week of July 20 to 26, the number of new confirmed cases in France saw a significant increase, by 54% (5,592 in total), and the bar of 1,000 new cases per day was exceeded, said the 30 July the health agency Public Health France in its last weekly update.

In addition, the number of patients with Covid-19 hospitalized in intensive care has increased by 13 cases since Friday (384 in total), breaking with the downward trend observed since April, according to the latest daily update from the Directorate General of Health (DGS) broadcast Monday evening.

To counter a second epidemic wave, the Scientific Council asks the authorities to put in place "prevention plans" focused in particular on the largest metropolises. He also points to "delays" in the strategy of testing, tracing and isolating positive cases. He thus recommends improving "access to screening tests", the delays of which are currently too long due to strong demand.

Finally, in a second separate opinion, the Scientific Council proposes a stricter control of travelers arriving from countries "at risk", with tests on their departure or arrival and a quarantine of 14 days.

With AFP and Reuters

The summary of the week France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR