Uncontrolled coronavirus in France: an intensive care course every three minutes

France faces “an extremely strong wave” of the virus, with one hospitalized for Covid every 30 seconds and an intensive care course every three minutes. The figures were delivered by Prime Minister Jean Castex during a press conference to assess the first 15 days of detention. One in four people die from the coronavirus and 40% are under 65 in the country.

In his first explanation after the detention decision, the Prime Minister reconfirmed that the detention would continue. At least for an additional 15 days to reduce the figures of 31,918 cases and 2,588 hospitalized in 24 hours. Restaurants and businesses will continue to be closed for an additional 15 days, but with state assistance. There will be aid of 10,000 euros. But there might be some relief for neighborhood businesses after December 1.

“They are at the heart of our concerns”, declared Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of the Economy. There will be relief in the Christmas holidays, was his promise.

“It would be irresponsible to lift or ease the lockdown,” Prime Minister Castex said. “This is not the time to let go of the reins,” he said. “The challenge of the days to come is not to relieve but to amplify the efforts. But we have found insufficient respect for the rules. I asked the police to enforce it in Paris and in the big cities, ”he warned.

The government expects the second wave of Covid to peak “in the coming days of next week”. His wish is that they do not arrive at the hospital in serious condition. The hospital service is exhausted but ready for this second wave.

“If the trend continues, the peak of the second wave could be expected at the beginning of next week,” the prime minister said. “If the numbers show that we stay in this line, the relief measures could arrive on December 1 but will not include traders,” said Jean Castex.

Christmas without party

Christmas and New Year with the family but without major celebrations. This is Jean Castex’s ambition. But the parties will not be “business as usual.” It is not reasonable to organize big parties with several dozen people, ”he warned.

The Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, indicated that 7,000 intensive care beds are ready. In Auvergne Rhône Alpes, one of the most affected regions, therapy beds have doubled. They went from 600 to 1,200 beds.

Transfers of patients from one region to another have already started. Travel trips come from Auverge Rhône Alpes via Brittany and Ille de France. “We have decided to cover the transport and accommodation costs of at least one companion of the transferred patients,” said the Minister of Health.

Antigenic tests are in progress and are a success in France. As of Wednesday, 3,000 positive people were diagnosed via the antigen test.

“The pressure on our hospital system is growing and is putting our hospitals under extreme stress. We anticipated it and we must face it, ”declared Prime Minister Jean Castex.

Prime Minister said 45% of employees last week worked in “telework”. There is a very strong reduction in home-work trips which are less than 20% compared to last September. Public transport ridership is less than 55% in Paris and in the metro.

“Economic activity can fall by 12%. A major shock ”, declared the Prime Minister.

The government is concerned about the precariousness of young people and students. He asked the social partners to maintain unemployment insurance longer with those who have already reached the limit to benefit from it. He announced the creation of 1,600 student jobs in November, December and January.

In social networks, there have been protests for the closure of high schools because social distance cannot be respected. “As far as a high school can do it, the presence of 100% of students is desirable. If an establishment cannot guarantee sanitary conditions, there are hybrid solutions. I demand that 50 percent of high school students’ school time be face to face. I demand a continuous learning plan from rectors, ”explained Minister of Education Jean Michel Blanquer.

Prime Minister Castex was clear in his assessment of the containment: “The enemy is not the state but the virus. More than ever, I invite you to strictly respect the rules of confinement, not to leave your home if it is not necessary, to telework as much as possible, to be extra careful if you are vulnerable ”.

PB