A cluster closely monitored since Thursday … Several dozen cases of Covid-19 have been identified in recent days in the Bacalan district in Bordeaux (Gironde). Problem: they tested positive for a “very rare” variant, a derivative of the English variant, explained the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Nouvelle-Aquitaine on Friday.
For now, at least 46 people are infected. A number that could quickly increase: the results of the screening campaign, launched on Friday, are not yet known. Their contamination took place during family reunions on May 8, reports France Blue. Two “zero patients” are at the origin of these contaminations, specified Patrick Dehail, medical and scientific adviser of the ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The virus then reportedly spread to an elementary school, where ten children tested positive. The school has since been closed, as procedure dictates.
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A “very rare” variant, but already identified in France
This variant, called VOC 20I / 484Q, is a derivative of the English variant which has acquired an additional mutation (E484Q). If it is “very rare”, it has however already been identified, especially in Ile-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and in the Grand Est. “It’s a ‘Variant of concern’ (VoC), or worrying, such as the English and Indian variants,” Patrick Dehail told AFP.
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What worries the health authorities, however, is the number of cases detected in Bordeaux. “A priori, there had never been a cluster like this in the general population,” added Professor Dehail.
The National Reference Center in Lyon is now responsible for a more detailed analysis of the entire genome of this variant.
A more contagious and dangerous variant?
The mutation of this variant makes it potentially more contagious and more resistant to vaccines. But the data are still lacking to support or contradict this thesis. Massive screening of the population of the Bacalan district, north of Bordeaux, has already been launched. The results could provide some answers.
For the time being, the ARS is reassuring: no infected person has been hospitalized or has had a serious form; all are confined to homes. These are young patients, who have not been vaccinated, which suggests that the vaccines are effective against this variant. “There is evidence that this variant is not resistant to vaccination, since older people, who are over 80% vaccinated for those over 65 and over 50% for those over 50, have the air not to have been contaminated by this virus “, specified the director of the ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine Benoît Elleboode on Franceinfo Saturday.
We would have been in the first waves of the epidemic, a variant like that would have reached the elderly, would have caused hospitalizations
Benoît Elleboode, director of ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine, on Saturday on Franceinfo
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A vaccination campaign open to all
To contain the epidemic focus of this variant, the authorities quickly took measures. All people in the neighborhood and surroundings are invited to get tested as quickly as possible. And those who are negative are invited to be vaccinated as soon as possible, during the weekend or at the beginning of next week. Vaccination open to everyone over 18, without conditions. An ephemeral vaccination center will also be set up for this population, who can already go to the open centers near their homes. On Franceinfo, the ARS of Nouvelle-Aquitaine also specified on Saturday that 5,000 additional doses of vaccine will be sent next week to the district. In addition, doses of Moderna will be available in pharmacies in this area from this week to cover needs as much as possible.
“We are not worried and the population has no reason to be, but this is an opportunity to remind people that the virus is still circulating and that the lifting of restrictions should not be considered as a return to health. life before without limits, “warned Professor Patrick Dehail.
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