Waves break out and are all different. As the launches of vaccine campaigns gave hope faced with the coronavirus epidemic, variants have been found in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, making things change. But what do we know about these new strains? Here is the latest news on the matter.
Variants in France
September 2021's school start: health protocol in schools, junior high schools, and high schools
What is the health protocol in schools, junior high schools, and high schools starting from September 2021? This July 28, 2021, the Minister of the National Education addressed the issue, unveiling the "health framework" instated in schooles and classes starting from Thursday September 2, when school starts again. Compulsory facemask indoor, classes closed only in elementary schools and vaccination non compulsory for teachers; keep reading to find out more. [Read more]
Covid: protocol against coronavirus variants
UK and South-African coronavirus variants have the health authorities worried, and for good reason, they are said to be more contagious than the original coronavirus that broke out in Wuhan. This February 7, the Health director general released an “emergency” memo to change the health protocol as part of the fight against variants: longer self-isolation period, mandatory end of contamination test, quicker school closure. Here is the protocol. [Read more]
Coronavirus: "Variants have become standard in France", Olivier Véran says
In France, the UK coronavirus variant keeps on spreading in France and even dominates the historic strain. It is now found in almost 60% of coronavirus cases in the country and dominates in 57 mainland departments. According to Health Minister Olivier Véran, "variants have become standard in France". [Read more]
South-African Covid variant: first case of severe reinfection in France
This Friday February 12, the AP-HP has reported a first case of Covid reinfection – by South-African variant – has been found in France. A 58-year-old male contracted the virus in September 2020 and has been contaminated again in January. The man developed severe disease when contaminated for the second time. [Read more]
Covid: California variant found in France
Covid variants keep on surging… After the UK, South African, and Brazilian variant, a new strain from California has been found in France, in Bas-Rhin. A mutation found in the country thanks to a series of sequencing. [Read more]
Vaccines and variants
Covid: Moderna to modify vaccine to improve its efficacy against variants
This Monday January 25, Moderna Therapeutics laboratory announced they were working on a new version of their vaccine, to make it more effective against variants, especially the South-African strain. That very same day, the group explained their product was effective against the two most spread variants in the world. [Read more]
Covid: Pfizer vaccine less effective against the South African variant, a study finds
Pfizer covid vaccine is said to be less effective against the South African variant... This is at least what an Israeli study found on the matter, stating this strain is likely to "break through" the vaccine. The study shifts focus of the results from the previous study carried out by the American laboratory, explaining their vaccine was working for at least six months against all variants, and especially the South African strain. [Read more]
Covid: South African variant may resist vaccine, a study reads
After the United-Kingdom, it is South Africa that has scientists worried. They say a new variant of coronavirus found in the country is likely “more transmissible” than the previous strains already known, and may resist vaccines currently inoculated around the world, a study reads. [Read more]
Latest news
Covid: a new variant found in the United-Kingdom has scientists worried
And what if a new Covid variant was making trouble in vaccination campaigns around the world…? In a report from the University of Edinburgh – released this Wednesday February 17 – scientists have said this new strain of the virus – similar to the already known UK variant – has been found in December in many countries, France included. [Read more]
Covid: UK variant dominates in Île-de-France, 87.7% of cases in Paris
Covid-19 UK variant is now set in Paris and Île-de-France. According to Santé Publique France's latest report, it is found in 87.7% of PCR+ cases in Paris, and over 60% in the area. [Read more]
Covid: 50,000 daily cases by mid-March in France? Projections from Lille University Hospital
The UK Covid variant keeps on spreading across France. According to Scientific Committee member Pr. Fontanet, "if we go on this way" then the UK variant "will become dominant from circa March 1" in the country. Furthermore, hospitals are urged to move to "crisis organization". Lille University Hospital experts project likely boom in new cases by mid-March for the coming weeks. By March 20, there could be up to 50,000 new PCR+ cases per day. [Read more]
Covid: “Worried” about variants, WHO urges Europe to accelerate vaccination
Faced with the threat of variants quickly spreading, WHO’s Europe Director Hans Kluge urges Europe to “join forces” and accelerate vaccination. [Read more]
