The Covid-19 epidemic in France has had a significant impact on other European countries. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, in response to queries from lawmakers on Tuesday, said that masks should be worn in public transportation and anywhere one is likely to come in contact with the vulnerable. French immunologist Brigitte Autran claims that the BA.5 subvariant of Covid-19, a variant of the original Omicron subvariant, has been supplanted by the BQ.1.1 subvariant in France. According to the French public health service, 70,000 new cases were found. Since the week of November 14, emergency room visits and hospitalizations have been on the rise again, reaching levels not seen in the last 10 years, following a dip in numbers caused by school vacations.
Understanding the Epidemic in France
This triple epidemic in France poses a threat to completely overwhelm the country’s healthcare system. With preventative measures such as lockdowns and mask requirements no longer in place, seasonal infections have been given a chance to proliferate. Although it typically begins in the middle of November and peaks in December and ends in January, this year’s bronchiolitis outbreak, which primarily affects infants under the age of two, began in October. Infections including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are spreading rapidly throughout the region. These viruses, along with COVID-19, are predicted to have a major effect on health care and people this winter.
Resurgence in Cases of Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is caused by the common Respiratory syncytial virus, which is highly contagious and can cause severe breathing problems in very young children. Medical experts have raised concerns about a looming staffing crisis in pediatric units, prompting the government to establish a crisis response strategy.
Last week, there was a 33 percent increase in hospital emergency room visits and a 66 percent increase in doctor’s office visits due to flu symptoms. With a later-than-usual start to flu season, the healthcare system is dealing with a surge in instances of Covid hospitalizations and a record number of pediatric bronchiolitis cases. The epidemic in France, which is notoriously unpredictable and widespread, has begun early this year.