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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Covid-19 has become, for many, a virus like any other. However, the resumption of viral circulation in France is noted by the health authorities. Should we be worried? The answers from Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
Four years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the viral circulation of Covid-19 is resuming. According to Public Health France, “appeals for suspected Covid-19 have continued to increase for eight weeks” whether in the hospital or with general practitioners in town. A new derivative of the Omicron variant, called KP.2 and nicknamed “FLiRT” has been detected in Europe and the United States.
An “increasingly marked” increase in cases of contamination
Still according to the health authority, we observe an “increasingly marked” increase in visits to the emergency room (with +52% in one week) as well as consultations at SOS Médecins (+51% over one week too, from 3 to 10 June), for Covid-19. Wastewater shows the same trend, with viral circulation detected to be increasing within it.
In Europe too, the observation is identical. “After a long period of low activity“, several European countries have experienced an epidemic rebound in recent weeks, according to a recent report from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
“Sars-Cov-2 is an endemic virus, which circulates in waves” explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek. “Its resurgence also reflects the fragility of our immune systems.”
Should we be worried as the Olympic Games approach?
With the Olympics approaching, the risk of virus transmission will be higher. Because we know: large gatherings are conducive to its spread, the Taylor Swift concerts held last May in Paris are proof of this, with many spectators falling ill a few days after attending one of the performances of the American star.
Should we fear an increase in contamination linked to the arrival of the Olympic Games in France? “We must learn to live with the virus, which remember, is a cold in the vast majority of cases“calls the doctor back.”Let’s take this opportunity to send a message of prevention as the Olympic Games approach: sport is an excellent way to “boost your immune systemjust like exposing yourself to the sun or eating well, taking advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables. advises our expert. “We can no longer live under cover, at the risk of spoiling the party.”.