Advice for tests, masks, isolation as cases rise in France

Well being specialists in France have shared recommendation on how the general public ought to behave amid rising Covid circumstances and hospitalisations, together with on whether or not to check, self-isolate, or put on masks. 

After a lull because the finish of 2023, Covid is at the moment spreading once more, with an increase in optimistic PCR assessments in laboratories and hospitals. Waste water testing has additionally revealed a better presence. 

Learn additionally: Why Covid-19 hospital circumstances are rising once more in France 
Learn additionally: Covid-19 in France: Hospital consultations stay low, however rising

“This resurgence is linked to a mix of things: barely extra transmissible variants, poorer immunity, and seasonal occasions that encourage interplay and therefore transmission of the virus,” mentioned epidemiologist Dr Justine Schaeffer, from Santé publique France (SPF), to Le Figaro.

To date, the influence on the hospital system stays low, with 770 hospital admissions for suspected Covid within the week starting June 17, representing 1.1% of all hospital admissions. But, Dr Schaeffer warned that though figures stay low, the danger nonetheless stays.

“The virus is spreading and this isn’t that shocking; this additionally occurred in spring-summer 2023. And whereas figures are usually not particularly regarding, we should do not forget that Covid continues to be an sickness that may trigger extreme situations,” mentioned Dr Schaeffer.

Will we nonetheless want to check?

Testing has considerably decreased because the peak of the pandemic, and a current SPF confirmed {that a} third of individuals with signs had not had a check. 

Nevertheless, consultants suggest that anybody with signs ought to get a check, particularly if you happen to might keep in touch with an aged particular person or somebody with a compromised immune system.

 “Crucial factor is to get examined if you happen to reside subsequent to somebody susceptible to growing a critical type of the illness, in order that you don’t unknowingly infect them,” mentioned Dr Paul Frappé, president of the GP group le Collège de la médecine générale.

Are older assessments nonetheless OK to make use of? 

Many households doubtless nonetheless have bins of at-home assessments of their cabinets, leftover from the pandemic. However these are doubtless not legitimate, Dr Frappé warned. 

“They nonetheless work on the brand new variants, however they’ve a shelf life,” he mentioned. Relying on the producer, assessments expire from between six months and two years after the date of manufacture. Older at-home lateral circulation assessments could present a false unfavorable.

“A unfavorable self-test doesn’t imply that you simply wouldn’t have Covid, or another infectious illness,” mentioned Dr Schaeffer.

Ought to folks get PCR assessments?

PCR assessments (these accomplished with a swab, by well being professionals) are thought-about to be simpler and correct than at-home lateral circulation assessments.

Equally, you will be examined for Covid similtaneously different situations.

“At present, Covid, influenza and bronchiolitis are examined in parallel,” mentioned Dr Schaeffer. “Within the case of Covid, for instance, docs can prescribe Paxlovid to people who find themselves at excessive danger of progressing to a extreme type.” 

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir or ritonavir) is an antiviral drug from laboratory Pfizer. It’s the solely drugs that GPs can prescribe to people who find themselves susceptible to growing a extreme type of the virus.

Do folks must self-isolate?

Whereas there are not any guidelines in place that require folks with Covid to self-isolate, it’s nonetheless advisable by well being professionals, to forestall the virus from spreading to weak people.

“You need to use your frequent sense,” mentioned Dr Schaeffer. “You probably have a respiratory an infection of any form, the less folks you see, the much less likelihood you may have of passing it on to others.”

Ought to folks nonetheless put on masks?

Individuals who check optimistic however who can not self-isolate are advisable to put on masks in public and round weak folks. Carrying a masks even if you’re not ailing may offer you some safety in public.

“Whether or not you have been examined or not, whether or not you have received Covid or one thing else, placing on a masks when you may have respiratory signs isn’t a waste of time,” mentioned xx Schaeffer. “Any masks is best than none, however the extra superior the tools, the higher the safety.”

Different preventative measures, together with hand washing and protecting areas remoted can be key, mentioned Dr Frappé.

What’s the vaccination state of affairs? 

Vaccination continues to be advisable, significantly for folks at larger danger (folks aged 65 and over, and/or with well being issues). 

Individuals aged over 80 and people with immunodeficiency ought to have a booster dose within the spring, three months after their final dose, to make sure they’re nonetheless totally protected.

Learn additionally: Subsequent Covid vaccination marketing campaign to start in France

“An annual marketing campaign is organised in autumn, similtaneously for influenza, with a vaccine tailored to the variants in circulation,” mentioned Dr Schaeffer.