Despite improving earlier this summer, the fight against the coronavirus epidemic in France is not over. The French are now facing a resurgence of the health crisis. As the vaccination campaign is moving forward with over half of the population being given the first shot, the Delta variant joins in and is about to dominate in France.
The situation is not new. Remember, in early 2021, the spread of the UK variant – called Alpha – compromised the lockdown exit in France, before dominating. Now, the Delta variant is concerning. Its spread in India already concerned people across the world and this variant is more contagious than the historic strain and is actively spreading in France, causing an epidemic resurgence in the country.
During the latest press brief held this Wednesday July 7, 2021, after the Ministerial council government spokesman Gabriel Attal said eleven regions – Île-de-France included – are reporting an increasing incidence rate. The Delta variant is now found in 40% of new contaminations in the country. It is already dominating in three regions: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Île-de-France. In Paris – where the incidence rate moved back over 50 cases for 100,000 inhabitants – a 91% increase in coronavirus cases in one week has been reported.
Interviewed this Friday July 9 on France Inter, Health Minister Olivier Véran said the variant was about to dominate all the others, and could even dominate in France from this very weekend. It will actually happen on the very evening, according to data shared by Santé Publique France: this Friday night, it was found in 51.7% of tests performed. A health defense council is also scheduled on Monday July 12. Measures might be made to curb the arrival of a fourth wave.
