France: “immediate action plan” after a delta variant cluster in Strasbourg
4 positive cases for the delta variant of Covid-19 were detected at the Haute École des Arts du Rhin in Strasbourg on June 12, 2021. © Wikimedia Commons
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Four cases were detected at the Haute École des Arts du Rhin (HEAR) in Strasbourg and 43 of contact cases are "
under investigation
".
The school has been closed since Thursday June 10.
We only learned this Saturday, June 12 that the infected people are carriers of the Indian variant, now called delta by the WHO.
It is the first cluster of this type in Alsace.
The Grand Est Regional Health Agency has launched a large-scale plan in places frequented by students.
Publicity
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With our correspondent in Strasbourg,
Angélique Férat
From Wednesday, HEAR students were invited to come and get tested.
Several students and teachers have tested positive.
This delta variant is 40 to 60% more contagious, hence the reaction of the authorities.
Targeted vaccinations will therefore be carried out during the weekend.
An information and screening stand has been set up in the nearby weekly market and Covid delegates will be visiting bars and restaurants.
The district of Krutenau, where the Haute École des Arts du Rhin is located, is frequented by students of fine arts but also of the university.
The main campus is a few dozen meters away.
In addition, the place is full of restaurants and cafes which since the arrival of the sun are always full.
In other words, all the ingredients for a potential spread of this virus in the Alsatian capital are there.
The director of the school still hoped on Friday to be able to hold the graduation ceremony at the end of June for the 90 students concerned.
►
To listen: The whirlwind of Covid-19 in Alsace: three local caregivers tell
"
Systematic screening
"
A total of 143 people were tested on Friday, including 4 positive cases and 43 "
under investigation
".
The tests will be the subject of a "
systematic screening
" in order to determine the possible presence of variant, adds the ARS.
The agency adds that it has developed a plan with the prefecture to "
contain any outbreak of the epidemic
".
Targeted vaccination operations are planned over the weekend: 200 doses and as many “
dedicated slots
” are reserved on Sunday in Strasbourg for students and staff of bars and restaurants in the targeted neighborhoods.
These people will benefit from priority access "
wire cut
" to register, further indicates the ARS.
The weekend of June 19 and 20, 2,600 doses and slots will still be reserved to amplify this targeted vaccination campaign.
Acceleration of the epidemic across the Channel
The Delta variant is believed to be particularly contagious.
At the end of May, the British government, faced with an acceleration of the epidemic, estimated that it represented between half and three quarters of the new cases detected across the Channel.
The Covid-19 epidemic in Bas-Rhin remains at a "
moderate level
" according to the ARS, with an incidence rate of 65 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants as of June 11, 2021.
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To read also: Vaccination of over 75s in Alsace
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