Paris | The number of patients hospitalized in intensive care due to COVID-19 increased slightly for the first time since the beginning of April in France, where new daily cases exceed a thousand, health authorities announced on Thursday.
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In total, 5,375 people are hospitalized for a coronavirus infection, including 381 severe cases in intensive care, one more than the day before, indicates the General Directorate of Health (DGS) in a press release, without further details.
This is the first time since April 9 that this closely watched indicator is no longer falling.
The epidemic has caused 16 new deaths in hospitals in 24 hours. At least 30,254 people have died since the start of the epidemic, including 19,739 in hospitals and 10,515 in social and medical-social establishments (Ehpad). The death toll in these establishments will be updated on Tuesday, August 4.
The circulation of the virus remains “sustained with an increasing number of daily cases and greater than 1000”, insists the DGS.
In its weekly epidemiological update, the public health agency France (SpF) also notes a “marked increase in the incidence” of the disease (that is to say the number of new cases) of 54% compared to the previous week, “particularly among 20-30 year olds”.
This increase, “in particular symptomatic cases”, “cannot be explained by the sole increase in screening actions”, underlines the health agency.
“Rapid and significant efforts are needed. Individually and collectively, we must act now to curb this active viral spread, ”warns the Department of Health.
Are necessary “the application, everywhere and at all times, of barrier measures, respect for physical distancing, a test quickly in the slightest doubt, the use of StopCovid, respect for the fortnight and isolation measures”, recalls the DGS.
Public Health France, for its part, observed a “decrease in the systematic adoption of preventive measures (keep a distance of at least 1 meter, greet without shaking hands, stop hugging)”, even if “wearing a mask in public is more systematic ”.
“In this summer period, family and friendly events, large religious and festive gatherings are particularly at risk of viral transmission and must lead to a particular mobilization of all participants”, underlines the DGS.
With the heat wave affecting 13 French departments, the DGS also calls for “special attention” to the elderly, but by maintaining barrier gestures.
“You should never wet the mask, even if it can provide a feeling of cooling. If the mask is wet (perspiration, …) it must be changed because its effectiveness is no longer guaranteed, ”insists the DGS.