COVID-19 FRANCE. While the epidemic is soaring again in China, the Covid continues to decline in June 2023 in France, according to the latest report from Public Health France.
[Mis à jour le 1er juin 2023 à 16h35] In its last epidemiological update of May 31, 2023, Public health France reports very low screening rates, stabilizing emergency room visits and declining new hospitalizations. In France and unlike China where contamination is on the rise again, the epidemic therefore remains weak compared to what we have already known since the “Omicron era”. “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“, confirm it Health Risk Monitoring and Anticipation Committee (COVARS) at the end of March 2023. However, continue to respect barrier gesturesalthough many health rules ended in the first quarter of 2023.
4 anti-Covid measures in force in 2023
To limit the magnitude of (next) epidemic waves:
► 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 until June 16, 2023 in all of France. The objective is to encourage the French to make a new vaccine booster with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant). 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 others, especially when the premises are poorly ventilated. In general, people at risk of severe form and those around them should continue to wear the maskespecially in closed or densely populated places and that they get tested quickly in case of symptoms
► 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.
► You must maintain barrier gestures especially in the event of a positive test and/or symptoms, in order to protect vulnerable people: regular hand washing, ventilation of enclosed areas
Where is the Covid in France in 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.), according to Covars. Regular waves follow one another and a 10th wave has been 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 June 2023?
In mainland France as of May 31, 2023, the recombinant XBB.1.5 remains predominant but seems to be down with 45% of sequences during the Flash S19 survey (vs 47% for Flash S18). The XBB.1.16 sub-variant is increasing (6% for Flash S19 vs 3% for Flash S18) and the XBB.1.9 sub-variant is stabilizing (28% for Flash S19 vs 29% for Flash S18)
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 June 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. 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?
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. 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 Covid epidemic. 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