France has reported more than 100,000 new cases of Covid-19, the first time this has happened since the summer of 2022, with epidemiologist and public health doctor Martin Blachier warning that “unlike in the previous waves, this time summer will not be there to help slow the progression of the virus”.
It is important to note that the 100,000 figure is slightly misleading, given that it has come as a result of data being added to the system that relates to previous days. However, when the seven-day average is taken into account, there is still a high of 57,952 cases per day.
When applied to hospitals, the main variable used by the French government to decide about whether measures need to be imposed is that of the number of people in intensive care due to Covid-19. That number currently sits at around 1,120, which according to infectious disease specialist Anne-Claude Cremieux, is “very tolerable for the healthcare system”.
However, given the rise in Covid cases, and the fact that it is part of a potential trip epidemic alongside influenza and bronchiolitis, the government has urged citizens to once again wear masks when using public transport. Yet, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has made clear that she is opposed to making this obligatory, instead stressing that “you have to rely on each person’s responsibility” in making this choice.
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