This new mutation, called “Flirt”, comes from the Omicron lineagehas increased contagiousness and resistance to vaccines, scientists say. epidemiological indicators are on the rise, although they remain below the levels of the last two waves, according to bulletin of June 26 from Public Health France. Medical procedures related to Covid-19 at SOS Médecins increased by 0.9% and visits to emergency rooms by 0.1% over the period from June 17 to 23. Since the week of June 3 to 10, emergencies have recorded an increase of 52% and SOS Médecins an increase of 51% in consultations linked to the virus.
Viral circulation in monitored wastewater also shows a clear progression over the past month. This epidemic rise also affects several countries in Europe and the United States. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), an epidemic rebound was predictable after a period of low activity.
Mircea Sofonea, epidemiologist at the University of Montpellier and the University Hospital of Nîmes, explains this resurgence by an immune decline of the population and immune escape of new sub-variants of the Omicron JN.1 lineage. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has key mutations in these variants. The virus’s comeback has been illustrated by positive cases among young fans of Taylor Swift after her concerts in France in mid-May, where many “swifties” shared their positive tests on social media.
