Prime Minister Jean Castex visited the Argenteuil hospital center, in Val-d'Oise.
A surprise trip to this hospital to see the "mobilization of caregivers" but also the "tension" of the system due to the coronavirus epidemic.
The head of government in particular exchanged with the staff.
Prime Minister Jean Castex was on a visit early Tuesday evening at the Argenteuil hospital center, in Val-d'Oise, to see the "mobilization of caregivers" but also the "tension" of the system due to the coronavirus epidemic, noted an AFP journalist.
The head of government arrived at around 7.15 p.m. in this establishment which is part of a group of five hospitals between the south of Val-d'Oise and the north of Hauts-de-Seine, west of the capital.
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A visit to the emergency services
He must in particular visit the emergency services, where 70 beds are occupied by Covid patients, and those of intensive care, almost entirely dedicated to patients of the epidemic.
The Prime Minister spoke with the nursing staff.
He was to congratulate him on his "mobilization" but also discuss with him the current "tension" linked to the epidemic situation, indicates the entourage of Jean Castex.
At Argenteuil hospital - the third most populous city in Île-de-France - some 70 beds are dedicated to hospitalization of Covid-19 patients, compared to 240 in March and April 2020, at the peak of the first wave.
"It is increasing slowly, but surely," replied Catherine Le Gall, the head of emergencies, to the Prime Minister who questioned him about the Covid flows of the last few days.
The incidence rate of Covid-19 has increased slightly in Île-de-France, with 277.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to figures from the Regional Health Agency transmitted on Tuesday, against 269.7 the day before.
The director of the establishment, Bertrand Martin, pleaded for making the vaccine mandatory.
According to him, the number of available doses is "not the subject".
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The vaccination dilemma for Jean Castex
He invited the head of government to be vaccinated, because "a covid Prime Minister would harm us all".
In response, Jean Castex explained the dilemma for him, as he does not want to give the impression of receiving "a right pass".
Some 5,055 Covid patients are hospitalized in the region (5,030 the day before), including 798 in intensive care (782).
Localized resurgence of the epidemic led the executive to order lockdowns on Monday during the weekend in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Other "braking measures" are expected in Dunkirk, in consultation with local elected officials.