Since the beginning of September, cases of Covid-19 have increased in France. This is the case in Occitanie, where support via teleconsultation increases by 10% in mid-September. According to Charlotte Boullé, epidemiologist at Montpellier University Hospital, prevention and vaccination are essential to fending off the virus.
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Les cas de Covid “increase significantly” alerts Santé Publique France in its latest report. Infections explode by 35% with more than 15,000 new cases recorded nationally, between September 16 and 22.
MEDADOM – a teleconsultation platform – confirms in figures the teleconsultation appointment bookings linked to Covid-19. During the month of September, they gradually increased: +11% the first week, +19% the following week and +27% in the third week.
Like the rest of France, Occitanie is affected: +10% of care in the second week of September, and +4% the following.
These data confirm the observations of Charlotte Boullé, epidemiologist at Montpellier University Hospital. “We have seen this with some severe cases in intensive care, and the increase in calls from doctors for therapeutic advice.” assures the professional. “We have hospitalizations of elderly or fragile people, with Covid as the main cause.“
It is therefore essential not to bury the disease,”which is there and probably always will be” resumes Charlotte Boullé. “This virus is trivialized because we have been living with it for a long time. For many, there is also this reflex protection of putting this behind them because they experienced the period badly. (confinements). It’s normal.“
It is not because Covid is circulating that we should see it as a constraint. We should seize it, test ourselves, and use the means of protection.
Charlotte Boullé, epidemiologistat France 3 Occitanie
For the specialist, the priority is to get tested and especially vaccinated. “I have a little concern for all vulnerable people. Vaccines from two years ago do not have the same effectiveness on new variants” she warns. The risk is to end up with a “very low vaccination coverage“.
A new vaccination campaign opens on October 15. Charlotte Boullé also recommends getting vaccinated against the flu at the same time, and (re)applying precautionary measures, particularly towards vulnerable people.
