As France reports a high Covid-19-related contamination rate, the government is instating another strategy. In order to prevent nationwide lockdown, the executive is now deciding on local measures. From this moment on, about twenty departments are placed under strengthened surveillance, letting people think measures are to be made harder depending on the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic in these areas.
In Pas-de-Calais and in Alpes-Maritimes, and around Dunkirk, weekend lockdown in addition to 6 p.m. curfew during the week has bene instated. For the last two territories, the measure – instated over two weeks ago – has been even extended. But is this restriction effective?
When announcing the extension of the measure in Alpes-Maritimes, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said: “these measures are effective, the incidence rate dropped by 22% in one week”, before adding: “there is legitimately a demand to soften it, shared by Nice authorities among others. What I can tell is the incidence rate remains high, ICU saturation point is high. This is why it has been decided lockdown is extended for this weekend, and the situation will be addressed next week to see if the measure can be lifted”.
As for Dunkirk, things are different. The local authorities have decreed the extension of partial lockdown in cities in question because of a strong increase in the incidence rate. As of February 19, it was of 713 cases for 100,000 inhabitants. The indicator has exceeded the 1000-theeshold, according to data reported by the Regional Health Agency.
Santé Publique France has not yet shared the first estimations, and it seems it is too early to make solid conclusions based on consolidated data. Olivier Véran’s Thursday March 11 press brief is expected to give details if the latest data enable so.
