COVID-19 FRANCE. The Covid epidemic is rather on the decline at the beginning of May. However, the Directorate General of Health is launching a new vaccination campaign for many French people.
[Mis à jour le 5 mai 2023 à 11h46] The Covid epidemic continues to decline at the beginning of May 2023: the positivity and incidence rates continue to decrease in the majority of age groups and regions of France as well as visits to the emergency room and new hospitalizations, reports Public health France in its last point of May 4, 2023. Moreover, in an interview with the local newspaper “The Briard Country”Health Minister François Braun announced that caregivers and health professionals – suspended due to an incomplete vaccination schedule – will be reinstated. A decree to this effect should appear “mid-may”. This decision follows the favorable opinion of the High Authority for Health on the lifting of the vaccination obligation against Covid for caregivers and other professionals concerned. Also, the General Directorate of Health (DGS) announced on April 25, the launch of a vaccination campaign against Covid untilas of June 16, 2023 in all of France. The objective is to encourage the French to make a new vaccine booster for certain people: those living in the entourage of a fragile person, those immunocompromised or at risk, aged 80 years and over or residents of an nursing home. In May 2023, theepidemic remains relatively low compared to what we have already known since Omicron. “The Covid period is currently in an endemo-epidemic phase and after large “destructive” waves we are seeing today rebounds of lower amplitude with less violent health impact“, indicated the Health Risk Monitoring and Anticipation Committee (COVARS) on March 31, 2023. However, it is necessary continue to respect barrier gestureseven if certain health rules ended in the first quarter of 2023.
The new anti-Covid recommendations in 2023
To limit the extent of (next) epidemic waves, the Covars issued 5 recommendations:
► People at risk of severe form and those around them must continue to wear the maskespecially in closed or densely populated places and that they get tested quickly in case of symptoms
► A new vaccine reminder for certain people: the General Directorate of Health announced on April 25, 2023, the launch of a vaccination campaign against Covid from April 27 to June 16, 2023 in all of France. The objective is to encourage the French to make a new booster shot. Are concerned: people aged over 80, immunocompromised people and people at very high risk of serious illness (respecting a period of at least six months since the last dose or infection), people living in an nursing home , people living in the entourage of a fragile person.
► Even in the absence of criteria of frailty and diagnostic confirmation by a test (generally, any viral respiratory infection is transmissible by the same routes), the presence of respiratory symptoms must be wear a mask indoors in the presence of othersespecially when the premises are poorly ventilated.
► Indoor air quality can be significantly improved by opening the windows at least 5 to 10 minutes per hour in private homes, offices, collective catering facilities, etc.
How will the Covid epidemic evolve in France in 2023?
In the spring of 2023, the Covid virus is still circulating at a rate and frequency that show that it has not become a “seasonal respiratory virus” like any other (influenza virus, bronchiolitis virus, etc.), underlines the Covars. Regular waves follow one another: especially in this spring of 2023 when a 10th wave was observed. However, “this epidemic rebound is not correlated with the emergence of a new variantwe are still under the Omicron era with a non-significant subvariant replacement (BQ.1 by XBB) in terms of transmissibility or immune escape“. In other words, the decline in the immunity of the population (due to a recall of a “too” old vaccine) leads to rebounds approximately every 3 months relatively regardless of the environmental conditions influencing the seasonal transmission of respiratory viruses (which overall decreases by 40% in the reproduction rate).
What is the dominant variant in France in May 2023?
In mainland France as of May 4, 2023, the recombinant XBB.1.5 remained predominant at a stable level with 52% of sequences during the Flash S15 survey (vs. 57% for Flash S14). XBB.1.9 continued to increase (30% for Flash 15 vs 24% for Flash 14) and the BQ.1 sub-lineage was stabilizing (4% for Flash S15 and S14).
What are the Covid measures that persist in 2023?
► Up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19, in particular by a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the initial strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2) for eligible first-timers, as well as against influenza viruses. A vaccination campaign is launched from April 27 to June 16, 2023, in particular for people at risk and over 80 years old.
► The wearing a mask recommended in the presence of vulnerable people, in the event of promiscuity in closed spaces such as public transport
► The maintenance of barrier gestures : regular hand washing, ventilation of closed places
What are the current measures regarding Covid isolation?
Since February 1, 2023, people who test positive for Covid are no longer required to isolate themselves, announced the Ministry of Health in a January 28, 2023 statement. Nonetheless, “as with any illness with an acute respiratory infection, it remains strongly recommended for people who test positive for Covid-19, as well as people who have been exposed to a contagious person and are likely to develop the disease, to respect barrier gesturesof get tested and D’avoid contact with fragile people“, could we read on the press release.
What are the current measures regarding contact cases?
Since February 1, 2023, the realization of a screening test on the second day of notification of contact status for asymptomatic contact persons no longer required. On the other hand, symptomatic people continue to have to be tested.
What are the current measures regarding the wearing of the mask?
Wearing a mask is no longer compulsory anywhere. But given the circulation of several respiratory viruses (Covid-19, bronchitis virus, influenza), adherence to barrier gestures, including wearing a maskis still highly recommended in May 2023. Above all:
- in closed and crowded places and public transport (metro, train, bus, plane, etc.);
- in large gatherings, including outdoors, for people who are fragile due to their age or their pathologies;
- in the presence of elderly, immunocompromised or chronically ill people;
- for fragile people (elderly or immunocompromised…).
- in the event of symptoms suggestive of Covid
What are the Covid measures at the hospital in 2023?
With the end of the state of health emergency in France on July 31, 2022, the health pass is no longer required at the entrance to hospitals. Wearing a mask either, in theory, except for hospitals that want it and in all establishments AP-HP (Paris Hospitals). Thus, in 2023:
► Wearing a mask remains compulsory inside buildings for patients leaving their room in hospital, day hospital, consultation also for visitors, companions and patient workers (ex-paramedics).
► Wearing a mask remains compulsory for hospital staff in places where patients are. (conventional hospitalization, consultation, day hospital, circulation corridors).
Wearing a mask no longer required in the offices, meeting rooms, communication rooms, rest rooms, as well as in departments and places not open to patients (laboratories, nurseries, etc.)
► Wearing a mask is compulsory, regardless of location, for hospital staff who present with symptoms suggestive of ENT or respiratory infection.
What are the measures for the Covid vaccine recall?
T he General Directorate of Health announced on April 25, 2023, the launch of a vaccination campaign against Covid April 27 to June 16, 2023 in all of France. The objective is to encourage the French to make a new booster shot. The following are particularly concerned: people aged over 80, immunocompromised people and people at very high risk of serious illness (respecting a period of at least six months since the last dose or infection), people living in a Ehpad, people living in the entourage of a fragile person. This booster dose is also open to all French people who wish it. Bivalent vaccines, targeted on the Omicron variant, have been favored for boosters since October 3, 2022.
What are the measures for travel?
Since August 1, 2022, the border health control system has been lifted, in accordance with the law putting an end to the exceptional regimes created to fight against the epidemic linked to covid-19. Travelers don’t have no more formalities to complete before their arrival in France, in mainland France and overseas, and the presentation of the health pass can no longer be required, regardless of the country or zone of origin. Likewise, no more justification of the reason for a trip departing from France, in mainland France and overseas, no certificate of leaving the territory is required by the French authorities to go to another country.
KEY DATES 2022-2023
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Sources:
Covid-19: International travel, Ministry of the Interior.
MyAdviceCovid.Gov
Gouvernement.fr