France expects infections from third wave of coronavirus to peak within 7 to 10 days

The French Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, has predicted that the peak of infections in this third wave of coronavirus which crosses the country will be reached in seven to ten daysAlthough the number of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) will continue to increase for some time, until the end of April.

In an interview with the station France Inter this Thursday, after the Wednesday evening announcements by French President Emmanuel Macron about the extension of containment rules throughout France, Véran explained that “It takes between seven and ten days for the measures to be effective, so that their effectiveness can be assessed”.

In addition, “If all goes well” it will take another two weeks for this drop in infections to have an effect on the reduction in the number of patients in ICUs, where there are currently 5,053 patients., a figure higher than the peak of the second wave in mid-November.

The Minister was convinced that The new restriction regime will work, which will apply to the whole country from Sunday, and not just to the 19 departments with the highest incidence of coronavirus cases.

To illustrate this, he said that last Saturday the increase in infections in these 19 departments was only 1%, while in the rest of the country, the increase was 20%. Wednesday they communicated 59,038 new infections and 303 deaths in hospitals.

The restrictions imply in particular the prohibition of any movement beyond a radius of 10 kilometers around their home, unless there is a valid motivation, in particular professional, family or health.

Non-essential stores across France will also have to lower the blinds, while schools and colleges will be closed for three to four weeks from Saturday.

Véran said that with the government’s forecasts, the restrictions in force since the end of October, all social establishments being closed (bars, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, performance halls or gymnasiums), should be able to be lifted. mid-may.

On a more distant horizon he showed “Convinced that the French will have vacations this summer” and “a life close to normal”, although he is wary of the possibility of making trips abroad.

(With information from EFE)

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