The government has taken “the right decision” to lift the restrictions linked to Covid-19 in France, despite a rebound in contamination, said Minister of Health Olivier Véran on Wednesday, assuring that there was “no risk saturation of hospitals”.
Most of the anti-Covid restrictions were lifted in France on Monday. But the long fifth wave of the epidemic, which has been declining for a few weeks, has been on the rise for several days, with a rebound in contamination. Health authorities have identified more than 116,000 cases in 24 hours (compared to 80,000 two weeks ago), according to data released on Tuesday.
“Yes, we made the right decision,” said Olivier Véran, interviewed on Franceinfo. “We knew there was a risk of a rebound, we see it, and he is not just French”.
Coronavirus: the situation in France
© AFP – Simon MALFATTO
“What is important to understand, what the Scientific Council and the models of the Institut Pasteur are telling us, is that indeed, it will go up for 10-15 days, probably until the end of March. We risk to reach 120,000-150,000 contaminations per day, and then, we expect a decrease”, added the minister.
“The most fundamental thing is that the hospital load (…) will be contained,” he said. There is “no risk of saturation of hospitals”, according to him.
Asked about a “trivialization of the epidemic”, Olivier Véran defended himself by recalling the authorization given to patients aged 80 and over to receive a booster dose, the maintenance of the health pass in health establishments and establishments. medico-social services, the maintenance of the vaccination obligation for caregivers and the continued obligation to wear a mask in public transport.
“There is a movement of general relaxation in France, we must not hide it, in Europe and in the rest of the world (…). It was expected but the vigilance continues”, said Olivier Veran.
About the long Covids, the minister estimated at “60,000 to 70,000 French people who retain the symptoms which can be disabling”.
On Ukraine, “we are mobilizing to be able to transfer from Poland in particular children with cancer”. “We have freed up places in our hospitals. Within 24 to 48 hours, the first Ukrainian children from Poland should arrive in France,” he said.
“We will welcome as many sick or injured as necessary,” added the Minister of Health.
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