An intensification of the circulation of Covid “seems to be beginning” in France, where all indicators are progressing, Public Health France observed on Wednesday, pointing to a more marked increase among seniors.
During the week of September 16 to 22, “all indicators for all ages were increasing in the city and in hospitals,” the agency said in its weekly bulletin.
And “this increase was driven by adults, and more particularly those aged 65 and over,” SpF said.
Among those aged 65 and over, there were 1,013 hospitalizations after going to the emergency room for Covid or suspected Covid, or 2.9% of hospitalizations after going to the emergency room in this age group, compared to 1.7% a week earlier.
In addition to doctor consultations and hospitalizations, wastewater – where the presence of SARS-CoV-2 is monitored in 12 stations across France – shows an increase in the detection of the virus “for the fourth consecutive week”.
“An intensification of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be beginning, the evolution of which will have to be monitored closely over the coming weeks,” SpF summarized.
In this context, the health agency insists on “the systematic adoption of barrier gestures by all”, in particular on wearing a mask in the event of symptoms, in crowded places and in the presence of vulnerable people.
A new vaccination campaign against Covid, but also the flu, will begin on October 15 and will target in particular French people aged 65 and over and people at risk of serious illness.
Although vaccines become less effective against infections over time, they remain highly protective against serious forms, health authorities insist.
Furthermore, some adults (immunocompromised people, those aged 65 and over at risk) can also benefit from specific antiviral treatment, SpF recalled.
Although the World Health Organization no longer considers the pandemic a global health emergency since May 2023, it regularly reminds us that SARS-CoV-2 “continues to circulate and evolve”.
Over time and waves, the impact of Covid on hospitalizations and deaths has greatly diminished thanks to the high level of immunity acquired through vaccination and/or infections. But it is not zero, and the risk of a more dangerous variant remains.
ic/spe/hj
