As France prepares to break out of confinement, a cluster has emerged in Dordogne, a department classified as green. Should we fear a resurgence of the coronavirus in regions hitherto relatively spared? We asked Professor Stéphane Oustric, president of the College of Physicians of Haute-Garonne, the question.
Should we fear the appearance of a cluster after May 11?
The virus is still circulating. Clusters can be found everywhere, in regions where the virus is very active, but not only. In Dordogne, there were ultimately quite a few cases when you know that one person infects three. Look at all these people who are outside … There is bound to be new contamination. In principle, and as long as it affects young people or people without health problems, it does not matter if the virus is circulating.
Are you afraid of being overtaken by these clusters?
No, because in Haute-Garonne we have dedicated care units, with equipped practitioners and patient monitoring tools. We have anticipated. In the Covid-19 centers set up a few weeks ago, we performed 15,000 procedures and 50,000 consultations. These are all patients who have not been to the emergency room. At the moment there are fewer, but it will be very easy to reactivate if necessary. We are equipped to cope, to guarantee the quality and safety of care, procedures and activities.
Do you think there will be a second wave?
Yes, it will come back, but we do not know to what extent. Nothing is finished, everything begins. We can gradually deconfine, and we must. Let us remain optimistic. It is a very contagious viral disease, and there are still things we do not know. But therapeutic solutions will begin to appear. Everyone is working on it. You have to be in a community approach.
Does the citizen have an important role to play?
Yes, be serious. Wash your hands, have short nails, apply barrier gestures and wear masks for the general public. With this, we will block 80% of transmissions. We will all learn from this virus together.
–
