Olivier Guérin, member of the scientific council, estimated at the microphone of Europe Evening Friday that the explosion of contaminations in the Pyrénées-Orientales would soon concern other departments around the Mediterranean.

The prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales has announced a series of measures to try to curb this epidemic resumption.

INTERVIEW

The Pyrénées-Orientales are taking the lead in the face of the explosion of Covid-19 cases in the department. The incidence rate, which was only 12.7 on July 2, has now reached 258.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to the Regional Health Agency. This is the highest rate in France. The prefecture announced Friday that wearing a mask was once again compulsory in public spaces, except at the beach and in large natural spaces, from Saturday until August 2. In order to limit gatherings, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited in public areas outside of restaurants and bars.

"Contamination is exploding in this department, but others are also concerned and will see the incidence increase in the coming days", warned at the microphone of

Europe Soir

the doctor Olivier Guérin, member of the scientific council and head of the pole geriatrics at the CHU de Nice.

"The Pyrénées-Orientales are the start of a series of departments."

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A phenomenon that concerns the entire Mediterranean rim

According to this scientist, resort areas in the south are particularly affected by this new runaway epidemic, under the effect of the Delta variant.

"On the maritime facades, whether it is the Pyrénées-Orientales or other departments around the Mediterranean, the incidences are rising, the Delta variant is more prevalent there than the national average, but it is an overall movement ", observes Olivier Guérin.

"Physical distancing is less easy to maintain in tourism departments."

"A sprint to be able to save the start of the school year"

The reestablishment of certain sanitary measures in this department should make it possible to slow down contaminations while the vaccination progresses since the announcements of Emmanuel Macron on the extension of the sanitary pass. "The goal is to save time and give a reminder to our fellow citizens, telling them to take back their responsibilities with barrier gestures," insists Olivier Guérin. "We are in the form of a sprint to be able to save the start of the school year."