Even if the dangerousness of the BA.5 sub-variant of Omicron is not yet clearly known, “its contamination capacity is high”. The incidence rate thus fell from 423 cases (as of June 23) to 1,100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants on Tuesday, for a positivity rate of 38%. “The progression is spectacular”, observes the prefect, who does not impose the return of the wearing of the mask but calls for “the greatest vigilance”, rapid screening in the event of suspicion and invites people over 60 as well as fragile people to check their vaccination schedule, “which remains to this day the best protection against the risk of a serious form”.
In this area, Charente-Maritime is one of the good students. The department has the highest rate of vaccinated population (85% with a complete schedule) in New Aquitaine and one of the best in France. But caution is still in order. “This wave is equivalent to previous waves, reports Laurent Flamant, director of the departmental delegation of the regional health agency (ARS). “The growth is very strong and affects both the whole department and all age groups. »
Laurent Flamant, departmental director of the ARS.
FREDERIC ZABALZA/ “SOUTH WEST”
Deprogrammed operations
However, no entry into intensive care due to Covid-19 has been reported since the resumption of the epidemic. The number of hospitalizations has increased. The hospitals of Charente-Maritime counted on June 28 75 patients, they welcomed on July 5 about 120 people. This does not help the situation within the public hospital, which has already been very tense in recent months. “This will certainly increase the deprogramming of a certain number of operations”, fears Laurent Flamant.