Resurgence of Covid in France: “Vigilance continues”

[Mise à jour le 17 août 2023 à 11h09] THE covid is not not completely behind us. “The current situation requires us to remain vigilant“ informs Public Health France in a point position published on 11 august. “Same s‘this is no longer a global public health emergency, Covid-19 has not disappeared“, insisted Hans Kluge, the director of the European office of the World Health Organization (WHO), on June 27, 2023. The Covid remains responsible for “nearly 1,000 new deaths” every week in Europe.

Where is the Covid in France in August 2023?

L’virus incidence shows a 24.6% increase in week 31 (July 31-August 6) compared to week 30 increasing from 6.2 to 7.7 / 100,000 inhabitants but remaining “at very low levels”. The tincidence increases in all age groupsbut is the more marked among 40-49 year olds (+38.8% compared to week 30). THE visits to the emergency room for suspicion of Covid-19 (485) increased by 25% among 15-74 year olds, on the week of July 31 to August 6 compared to the previous week. The proportion of hospitalizations after passages remains stable. THE medical acts for suspicion of Covid have, them, increased by 84% over the same period, all ages (especially in New Aquitaine).

What is the dominant variant in France in August 2023?

According to the latest variant risk analysis of June 26, 2023 of Public Health Francewe observe in metropolitan France, the co-circulation of several variants at stable levels. THE most detected classified variants are XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.9 (recombinants of Omicron sublines). XBB.1.5, which became the majority in March 2023, has been decreasing since mid-April 2023. The detection of variant XBB.1.16 continues to increase, as does that of the EG.5 variant or Eris variant.

4 anti-Covid measures (still) in force in 2023

► A booster shot for some people: 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 fragility and diagnostic confirmation by a test (generally, any viral respiratory infection is transmissible by the same routes), the presence of respiratory symptoms should 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

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 recommended in August 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?

French people at risk of serious forms of Covid are called upon to make a additional booster vaccination in 2023. Are particularly concerned: people 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 vicinity of a frail 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.