Covid: in Occitania, will the start of summer be clouded by an exponential spread?

Covid-19 contaminations have been on the rise since the beginning of June. Possible restrictions might come to play the spoilsports at the very beginning of the summer.

“There is no fire”, immediately begins Jacques Reynes, director of the infectious diseases department of the Montpellier University Hospital. He assesses the situation as “stable” in the hospital, even if the incidence rate has doubled in two weeks in the Occitanie regionrising from 216 to 465 from June 7 to 21. “There are many cases in young adults, but with few respiratory complications, thanks to vaccination”continues the doctor.

36% increase in cases

On average, theRegional Health Agency counts 4,162 positive cases on average per day from June 14 to 20 in Occitania, once morest 3,034 the previous week. This 36% increase in one week is worrying, even if the evolution of current hospitalizations is not exponential, with 19 more patients this week.

“Because of the BA.4 and BA.5 variants, the number of contaminations is high, but the hospitalizations are less”, specifies Mircea Sofonea, researcher in epidemiology and evolution of infectious diseases in Montpellier. If the scientist qualifies the impact of the spread of the virus, he nevertheless warns for the summer period: “In some cities, there will be hospital tensions due to understaffing in summer and lack of resources. However, they will be very localized. From one hospital to another, the situation will not be the same”.

The number of positive cases is on the rise once more.
MIDI LIBRE – A. LLOP

Restrictions for the summer?

“Braking measures” cannot be ruled out as long as the state of health emergency is in effect, i.e. until July 31, as mentioned by government spokesperson Olivia Grégoire. The ARS nevertheless recalls that barrier gestures and vaccination reminders for those over 60 are essential.

For his part, Jacques Reynes believes that the mandatory recall would not limit the spread of the virus. “The fourth dose is potentially useful for fragile people. Potentially, I repeat. The problem is that the vaccine is rendered ineffective by the new variants, and does not prevent contamination. On the other hand, at the exit bivalent vaccine during the fall, it will be worth it”explains this specialist.

For the moment, the fourth dose would therefore not be necessary, except in cases of vulnerability. According to this doctor, two measures are however essential in a period of propagation: “We must wear a mask, but we must also avoid meetings in a closed, poorly ventilated or crowded space”. Mircea Sofonea nods, but considers that “It’s the politicians who have to decide. Without going into the coercive, we can be careful. We screen ourselves regularly, we don’t overexpose ourselves”.

A new text on the question was also to be presented on June 22, before being adjourned. It should be filed in the next few days.

A fear for artists: closure

The artists, following two very complicated years, fear the rest. With the rise in cases of coronavirus, the possible restrictions make people cringe. “We have only one fear: that everything will close”, worries Aurélie Hannedouche, director of the Syndicat des Musiques Actuelles. But such a possibility was quickly ruled out. “We had an appointment with Rima Abdul-Malak, the Minister of Culture. She does not think there will be a closure, because the variants are less dangerous. We will take her word for it. She told us reassured, we will be able to enjoy the festivals this summer. We are happy that the government has become aware of our difficulties.”, she continues. However, a big problem is emerging on the horizon of the summer, directly following these two mixed years: “The public has not yet fully returned. We are struggling to recover from situations like this”.