Some images haunt her. Those of “Plastic sheeting” with which she has “Camouflaged the bodies” for “Get rid of it as soon as possible”. “It’s hard to say, but they are considered a danger to the living population “, justifies this replacement director, who tells ” the wave “ of Covid-19 which fell from March 20 on the establishment of accommodation for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) of Coinces, in Salbris (Loir-et-Cher). “If I cry, they are tears of helplessness”, adds this woman, who did not want her name to appear.
The situation of his establishment is not an isolated case in France. At least 884 people have died in nursing homes since the start of the health crisis, according to an estimate given Thursday, April 2 by Jérôme Salomon, the director general of health, which concerns 7,400 establishments out of 10,600. A silent massacre, on which alerted the press, and whose authorities are revealing the extent, in this third week of confinement.
In Salbris, the Covid-19 epidemic first struck the line. Contaminated, the director had to entrust the orders for the establishment of a hundred beds to his replacement March 23. It testifies to ” steamroller ” which she had to face “In disaster”. The dazzling death had engulfed the scene before his arrival. On March 26, three elderly people left in one night. “ People die alone. It’s inhumane. There is no more humanity. The epidemic condemns us to deny the human “, she continues, crying.
“We are used to it, but it’s everyday”
Away from the opulent Sologne of the big game reserves, the Ehbr de Salbris operates financially on the razor’s edge. Here more than elsewhere, the establishment operates with understaffed staff, poorly qualified and ill-prepared for preventive measures. So, wearing masks and gowns to protect residents was not easy at first. When the virus entered, “We suspected we would be defeated, continues the director. We paid him cash despite the tremendous dedication of our caregivers. “
It took eight dead for the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Center-Val de Loire and the prefecture to send, on Saturday March 28, the” heavy artillery “. If not “It was the guaranteed butchery”, reports a professional. Caregivers and nurses were dispatched to reinforce, material sent with the help of the departmental council. But by the time the mobilization is organized, two more residents have died. The death toll stood at twelve on Thursday, April 2.
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