Should we fear the British coronavirus variant? “This is a worrying variant for which we are deploying major logistical and diagnostical means” Health Minister Olivier Véran said.
This Thursday January 14, he says that according to studies - mostly English - is is 30 to 70% more contagious and infects children more, than the current virus in France. As it is the variant that spread the most in the United-Kingdom, leading to 1,500 deaths in 24 hours, it is also more dangerous then, not in terms of symptoms, but spread.
To prevent it from spreading even more, schools are being closely controled. Furthermore, border controls will be highly reinforced. The government also endeavors to track cases and isolate people infected.
According to BFMTV, a British cluster of 11 people has been confirmed at the Ivry-sur-Seine Charles-Foix hospital (AP-HP) in Val-de-Marne. The British variant has been also found at Paris Saint-Antoine hospital. Ile-de-France is more and more infected.
A national inquiry is being conducted to establish a map showing the spread of the virus first, and to detail the number of proven cases. According to these preliminary studies, Olivier Véran says the British variant contaminates about one person in 100 in France, naming between 200 and 300 people per day.
France is not the only country that has discovered the mutation of the virus, since Italy, the Netherlands, and even Denmark have too. This new variant, like the South-African one, are given priority so that authorities can curb their exponential growth.
