Update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic in France and around the world.
The situation in France
The rebound in Covid-19 contamination continues and the number of hospitalized patients is no longer decreasing, according to data published Friday by health authorities. The number of new cases identified in 24 hours is 143,571, against 148,635 Thursday and 97,579 seven days earlier, said Public Health France. The seven-day average, which smooths out daily jolts, stands at 117,458, compared to 110,874 cases on Thursday.
The increase in positive cases has not yet translated into an increase in hospital pressure. Hospitals had 20,616 patients infected with Covid-19 according to figures released on Friday, compared to 20,654 on Thursday and 20,519 a week earlier. Hospitals received 1,488 new Covid patients on Friday.
In critical care, the number of patients continues to decrease, with 1,489 people in intensive care units, against 1,523 the day before and 1,674 last Friday. The number is thus below the threshold of 1,500, which the government had set to lift the last restrictions in mid-March. At the hospital, 112 people died of Covid on Friday, bringing the balance sheet of the pandemic to 141,564 deaths since March 2020.
Vaccination remains sluggish: 54.24 million people in total have received at least one dose of vaccine (80.5% of the total population), 53.33 have a complete vaccination schedule (79.1) and 39.45 have received a booster dose. The wing is reduced to be vaccinated. The number of so-called “active” vaccination centers — with more than 100 vaccinations per day — stands at 233, according to the General Directorate of Health (DGS), which says the Ministry of Health is keen to “keep a fabric of open centres” in view of the “second reminder” campaign for the over 80s.
In Shanghai, no containment in sight despite a peak of Covid
On Saturday, Shanghai saw a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but authorities were determined to avoid a city lockdown so as not to harm the economy, according to a local official. “If Shanghai, our city, came to a complete halt, many international cargo ships would end up in the East China Sea,” said Wu Fan, a medical expert with the city’s pandemic task force. “It would have an impact on the entire national economy and on the world economy,” he continued, during a daily press conference on Saturday in the port megalopolis.
Millions of Chinese virus people have been put under local lockdowns in several virus-hit cities across the country, after the Omicron variant spiked the number of cases. Shanghai, where 25 million people live, is however seeking to minimize disruption with a more targeted approach, marked by 48-hour lockdowns in some neighborhoods. Shanghai officials announced the distribution of rapid antigen test kits to residents.
In the northeast of the country, the province of Jilin also said on Saturday to start distributing 500,000 self-tests. Shanghai and Jilin are currently the regions hardest hit by the epidemic.
Australia introduces 4th dose for over-65s
Australia will offer a fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccines to over-65s from next month, health authorities announced on Friday, as a new strain of the Omicron variant spreads among the population. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the extra dose would be available from April 4 for people who received a third dose at least four months previously.
The booster dose “is your best protection against the most serious effects of Covid and can protect you against” the long-term effects of the coronavirus, Hunt stressed. This will be primarily aimed at vulnerable groups: people over 65, indigenous people over 50, immunocompromised people and residents of retirement homes.
Over the past six weeks, other countries such as France, Germany and Sweden have recommended the injection of a fourth dose for the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly.
Australia has recorded a total of 3.93 million cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, and 5,824 deaths.
Read also: Covid: 4th dose of vaccine for French people over 80