By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Public Health France said Friday that circulation of SARS-CoV-2 continues at a high level on the mainland.

Image/FotoshopTofs via pixabay

The number of confirmed cases, the positive rates of samples, especially in people with symptoms, are increasing. On the other hand, the detection rate is decreasing. It is likely that the use of diagnostics has evolved in recent weeks due to strong pressures on the diagnostic capacity of laboratories in several regions and recent recommendations on the prioritization of tests.

At the hospital level, the number of new hospitalizations, in particular admissions to intensive care units and deaths occurring in hospital, is increasing.

Nationally, new hospitalizations, ICU admissions for COVID-19 and death numbers currently remain at moderate levels compared to the situation observed in March-April 2020, but the increased circulation of the virus, in particularly among the elderly, raises fears of continued hospitalizations and deaths in the weeks to come. The greatest vigilance must be maintained with people at risk, especially the elderly, given the fragility of this population in which the greatest number of deaths due to SARS-CoV-2 occurs.

As of October 9, 2020, 70 departments are in a situation of high vulnerability.

In order to slow the progression of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is important to maintain the “Test-Alert-Protect” strategy: each person presenting symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, even mild, must carry out as soon as possible a diagnostic test. While awaiting results, people should isolate themselves and reduce their contact to the strict minimum. However, diagnostic delays could lead to less effective contact tracing measures due to the delay in identifying cases and their contacts and in implementing isolation and quarantine measures. In the absence of curative treatment and vaccine, it seems essential to strengthen the actions of p revention including measures of hygiene, physical distance, reduction of contact (without hugging, without shaking hands, avoiding groupings) as well as the appropriate wearing of the mask.

To date, France has reported 732,434 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 32,601 total deaths.