Faced with the increase in new Covid-19 cases and hospital deaths in Nice and its surroundings, the government is considering implementing additional measures in the Alpes-Maritimes department. These will be announced shortly. In the meantime, here is the Covid update…
During his visit to Nice in the Alpes-Maritimes this Saturday, Health Minister Olivier Véran acknowledged that the measures to combat the Covid-19 epidemic “are not enough“. Following this, a local lockdown over the weekends or a stricter curfew are being considered. The minister expressed his concern after reviewing the latest pandemic statistics. He noted that “the trend over the last three days is not good“.
The latest Covid figures
As of February 20, 22,371 new cases and 183 deaths have been recorded by health authorities in France in the last 24 hours. The total has risen to 3,583,135 confirmed cases and 84,147 deaths (including 59,667 in hospitals) since the epidemic began in France.
The test positivity rate is at 6.1% nationally. There have been 9,395 new hospitalizations and 1,770 admissions to intensive care in the last seven days.
As of February 19, 2,540,702 people have received at least one dose of vaccine in France. 78.5% of residents in nursing homes have also received a dose.
Weekly update on the PACA region
During the week, the PACA region recorded a slight increase in the number of deaths: from 5,218 to 5,400 hospital deaths between February 15 and 19. Otherwise, there is a stabilization or even a decrease in the ratio of Covid patients in intensive care (91.3% → 93.8%) and the intensive care bed occupancy rate (89.8% → 89%).
The number of Covid residents in nursing homes continues to rise (15,766 → 16,423) along with the number of deaths in nursing homes (1,702 → 1,793). The number of clusters under investigation by ARS and Santé Publique France teams increased from 711 active clusters to 765 in one week.
The government’s awaited announcements
In line with the Health Minister’s request, a consultation was conducted by the prefect with local officials of the territory to propose the implementation of additional measures in the Alpes-Maritimes department aimed at curbing the Covid-19 epidemic. These proposals have been submitted by the prefect to the government. The decisions made will be communicated later.
During a visit to Nice this weekend, Health Minister Olivier Véran stated this Saturday that a “heightened” curfew or “a partial lockdown” is being considered. The minister reminded that the city of Nice is “where the viral incidence is the highest” in France. After extending the isolation period for those tested positive for Covid-19 (from 7 to 10 days), announcements of new measures are expected shortly. Olivier Véran also warned that, given the current circumstances, another major epidemic wave could occur throughout France.
For the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, a weekend lockdown would be a sign of discouragement for many visitors during the winter holidays.
Covid-19 in the Alpes-Maritimes: a weekend lockdown “would discourage our visitors from coming during these winter holidays,” argues the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosihttps://t.co/L0xzkuaz4E pic.twitter.com/5T229ERyDG
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) February 21, 2021
To implement and enforce the health rules and measures, similar to the curfew implemented since last December 15, Christian Estrosi believes reinforcements from the national police are needed.
Covid-19 in the Alpes-Maritimes: “We need national police reinforcements to enforce the measures that will be announced,” states the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosihttps://t.co/L0xzkuaz4E pic.twitter.com/pnUuZMqlNz
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) February 21, 2021
