Covid-19: contaminations and hospitalizations on the rise, are we heading towards a new wave?

We may tend to forget it, as the health crisis and confinements seem so far away. But the Covid-19 is still there. The virus has even been gaining ground for weeks, a trend confirmed by the latest epidemiological bulletin from Public health France (SPF), Wednesday June 12, 2024.

Around you, you may have already noticed that Covid infections are on the rise again. Should we worry about a new wave of contaminationwith a busy summer ahead, between holidays, the Paris 2024 Olympics or even Euro 2024 football?

Half as many consultations and trips to the emergency room

According to the new epidemiological bulletin from the health authority, consultations for suspected Covid-19 infection increased by half In a week. They thus go from 995 acts (over the period from June 3 to 10, 2024) to 1,507 acts.

All age groups are affected, but more particularly those over 75 years old (+85%, i.e. from 66 to 122 acts) and those under 2 years old (+140%, i.e. from 10 to 24 acts). The level is higher than 2023 and 2021 among adults.

THE emergency visits for the same reasons also increased, by 52% in one week.

” Nothing special “

In mid-June 2024, the trend is indeed towards a resurgence phase of Covid-19, confirms actu.fr Professor Yves Buisson, epidemiologist. But nothing comparable to what we experienced during the pandemic phase.

“It is a phase of resurgence as should be expected, there is nothing exceptional”, notes the member of the National Academy of Medicine. No new waves of Covid but rather “wavelets”summarizes the epidemiologist.

We are in a phase of endemic and no longer a pandemic.

Sunny days and the variants that persist in question

If Covid-19 continues to circulate, it is for two reasons. The first, the return of good weather and, consequently, “population movements”. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, the holidays are taking shape and we are more easily outside, mixing.

Second explanation put forward by the epidemiologist: the persistence of variants which chase each other. Like the FLiRT variant which emerged in Europe and which led to a resumption of the epidemic in May 2024.

We still have a few mutants, but they are not very troublesome and they have a selective advantage. A dominant variant is replaced by a new one which circulates better, it is a cyclical phenomenon for which there is no need to worry. We are not in a seasonal upsurge.

Focus on vaccination

However, there is no question of relaxing our efforts. In this case, an effective solution (in addition to barrier gestures): vaccination. Of course, it does not prevent Covid-19 infection, but it protects against serious forms of the disease, particularly in people at risk.

Professor Buisson cites the immunocompromised people, pregnant women, chronically ill people or even the elderly – which, let us remember, represent the majority of Covid consultations.

“These are populations who have forgotten that Covid exists but who remain vulnerable,” explains the epidemiologist. And who must be all the more careful as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Euro football, vacations and other summer outings approach.

Vaccination centers no longer exist, but you can still make an appointment with your doctor or directly at a pharmacy. “The protective effect of vaccines takes 15 days, so it is not too late,” concludes Professor Buisson.

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