For them, the turkey, the log and the seafood will be enjoyed between two courses. As France prepares to experience its first Christmas without health restrictions against Covid-19, a “certain number” of caregivers “will not be able to take advantage of their holidays”, regretted Olivier Véran, this Wednesday, December 21 on France Inter. The former Minister of Health, now government spokesperson, affirms that hospital staff “will be very strongly mobilized for the end of year celebrations”.
In question ? A “triple epidemic”, which has been raging for weeks. If the Covid-19 seems relatively under control, despite a 9th wave, the flu and bronchiolitis have joined the party. If they are relatively common, these two epidemics circulate intensely at the end of the year. The hospital is therefore once again under tension, as evidenced by the government’s repeated calls to wear the mask, especially in public transport. The point on the passages to the hospital, in infographics.
- Early flu outbreak escalates
“The intensification of the circulation of influenza viruses in all metropolitan regions continues,” noted Public Health France in its latest weekly report. If on November 27, only two regions were on epidemic alert, the whole of France is now affected by the increase in flu cases. Hospitalizations, in particular, more than doubled in one week, with some 1,500 cases in Île-de-France.
This “early start exposes to a large-scale epidemic, with a peak expected at the end of December”, summarized Covars, heir to the Scientific Council which managed the Covid epidemic, in an opinion published on Monday on the health situation in the country. . The hospital is already experiencing a high intensity spike. From December 5 to 11, Public Health France thus identified 355 cases of influenza for 10,000 emergency visits. Normally, this flu level is rather expected after the holidays, in mid-January.
- An always difficult situation in pediatrics, because of bronchiolitis
New cases of bronchiolitis have slowed in recent weeks, after peaking in late November. But the epidemic, particularly important in 2022, without really knowing why, continues all the same “at a high level”, underlines Public Health France. Nearly 2,000 babies were still hospitalized last week in mainland France. Despite a 25% decline in one week, this situation remains burdensome for hospitals, some of which are unable to accommodate sick children and must refer them to other establishments.
If the epidemic of bronchiolitis seems to be decreasing in infants, “we must be careful” because, secondly, “the elderly and frail can be affected” too, with a significant risk of mortality, warned the virologist Bruno Lina on Monday, during a Covars press conference.
- A 9th wave of Covid-19 which is stabilizing
To these two seasonal epidemics are added the reminiscences of Covid-19, which despite a less virulent strain and four vaccination campaigns is currently experiencing a 9th wave. However, this is slowing down. For the week of December 5 to 11, Public Health France identified 7 cases of Covid-19 for 10,000 emergency room visits.
In this context of epidemics multiple, health authorities are once again calling on people at risk, especially the elderly, to get vaccinated against influenza and Covid-19, while vaccination campaigns are lagging behind this year. The Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, herself launched such an appeal this week, warning that the situation of hospitals would be “even more tense” with the end of the year celebrations.