How the CHU de Nice stands ready to face the epidemic

• Coronavirus cases are increasing across the border in Italy, where the virus has claimed 11 lives.
• In the Alpes-Maritimes, L’Archet hospital (Nice University Hospital) will be autonomous as of Friday morning to diagnose suspected cases.

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“The CHU is ready and mobilized. “Charles Guepratte, director general of the CHU of Nice, wanted to be reassuring this Wednesday noon, while the coronavirus killed eleven in Italy and
the first French victim.

For the moment, no known case of Covid-19 has been reported in the Alpes-Maritimes. However, cases of suspicion are increasing. “We currently have six patients. We will probably arrive at ten in the coming hours, ”detailed Dr Elisa Demonchy, head of the coronavirus department.

First step: call 15

Before being treated, patients who present with coronavirus symptoms (i.e. respiratory problems and fever) and who return from risk areas (Italy, China) must call the regulatory center by dialing 15. “The center contacts us and we classify the cases together. On duty, they are directed to L’Archet hospital where they are given a meeting point and where they are picked up to bring them to the service, masked and protected, “said the infectiologist.

This rallying point is an Algeco building which had been refurbished in 2015 in the parking lot of Archet 1 hospital, in the context of prevention against the Ebola virus.

Minimum six hours of uncertainty

After confinement in individual rooms, samples are taken. Two hours are necessary to transport them to Marseille, the only service in the region, for the time being, authorized to carry out this diagnosis. A diagnosis which technically takes around four hours. A minimum of six hours of waiting and uncertainty for the patients present at L’Archet Hospital.

“From Friday, we should be completely autonomous. As a front-line hospital, we will be able to carry out tests for all suspect patients in the Alpes-Maritimes department and part of the Var, “Charles Guepratte announced on Wednesday.

No curative treatment

If the screening results are negative, the patients are released. If they are positive, they are received in a dedicated department of the CHU. “They will obviously be separated from those admitted on suspicion,” says Dr Demonchy.

Then begins the follow-up phase. “Unfortunately, there are no healing molecules on viruses like antibiotics against bacteria can be used,” said Dr. Eric Cua. As for the use of chloroquine to treat coronavirus, the infectious diseases specialist at the Nice University Hospital prefers to wait until he is aware of the scientific evidence of its effectiveness before deciding.

The second line is ready

After having opened a first unit on Monday 24 February, the CHU de Nice is preparing to do the same if a second proves necessary. In the event of saturation, “second line” structures in Cannes, Grasse, Antibes or even in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, may also be requested.

Faced with the multiplication of cases in Italy, the city of Nice announced this Wednesday afternoon that it was shortening its carnival as a precaution. A cancellation followed a few minutes later by that of the Lemon Festival in Menton.