Positive cases slightly higher than last Saturday. The number of positive cases identified in 24 hours is, for the first time since January 25, higher than that of the same day of the previous week (it is very symbolic: 53,678 versus 53,623, i.e. + 0.1%) . The reason might be the spread of the BA.2 variant, which is regarding to become the majority (38% of cases sequenced on February 21).
The seven-day average, however, declines to 52,180 cases, from 59,844 cases seven days ago.
In France, 109 new deaths. The epidemic has killed a total of 139,243 people in France since its start just over two years ago. Public Health France recognizes 22,196 people in hospital this Saturday with the Covid, once morest 25,264 a week earlier. 2,075 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 are hospitalized in critical care, compared to 2,546 last Saturday. All hospital indicators are down sharply over a week.
Arabia: lifting of most restrictions, especially for the hajj. Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday the lifting of most restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular by exempting vaccinated travelers from quarantine or screening tests, a measure which should facilitate the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.