Since this past January 3, new measures are on in France, because of the explosion of Covid-19 cases caused by the 5th wave and the Omicron variant. This January 11, Santé Publique France reported a new Covid-19 infection record with 368,149 cases reported over the past 24 hours. And some regions seem to be hit harder than others. This is the case of Île-de-France where one inhabitant in 25 tested positive between January 4 and 11. Very sad data that makes of this region the hardest-hit by the coronavirus epidemic in mainland France. According to the latest data released by Santé Publique France, the incidence rate in the area has reached 4,024 cases for 100,000 inhabitants against 2,790 for the entire country.
In the detail, five departments in the region are particularly hit by this fifth wave, namely Val d'Oise - reporting a record with 4,429 cases for 100,000 inhabitants - as well as Seine-Saint-Denis (4,242 cases), Essonne (4,209 cases), Val-de-Marne (4,075 cases), and Paris (4,045 cases). To date, Yvelines is the least impacted department with 3,471 cases for 100,000 inhabitants.
More contagious than the Delta variant, the Omicron variant can mostly explain this high rise in the positiveness rate. Although Omicron yet seems less severe than the other variants, it does not relieve the pressure on hospitals that remain heavy. According to the latest data, 6,000 Covid-19 sick are currently hospitalized in Île-de-France.
In the Journal du Dimanche, epidemiologist and scientific committee member Arnaud Fontanet considers the fifth wave will peak by “mid-January”, adding “Ile-de-France will be the first one hit”.
Covid: fifth wave to peak by ”mid-January” according to epidemiologist Arnaud Fontanet
Epidemiologist Arnaud Fontanet speaks of the increasing contamination toll, likely to peak by ”mid-January”. He adds it will yet be short. [Read more]