The Covid-19 seems to be showing up again in France this summer. After the popular Bayonne celebrations at the end of July which attracted nearly 1.3 million people, some pharmacies in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques have recorded a positivity rate of around 70 to 90%, indicates Sud Ouest . Probably in question, the new sub-variant of Omicron EG.5, nicknamed “Eris”, today present in nearly 35% of the viruses sequenced in France, according to the Gisaid reference database. According to the epidemiologist and professor of public health at the Lille University Hospital interviewed by Le Figaro on August 9, this is an “epidemic micropeak” which “does not make it a national epidemic”.
At the same time, fall illnesses such as angina, rhinitis and colds appear. In particular in question, “the weather [qui] plays a significant role this summer because with the cold, different viruses circulate”, explained the general practitioner Éric Dupont to Figaro on August 4.
The risks of catching a virus are therefore increasing at this time. But how to react if you think you have contracted Covid-19 this summer? Le Figaro takes stock.
Already, if you think you have the Covid-19, do not panic. A large majority of French people have been affected by one of the Omicron sub-variants – the only strain of the virus currently circulating – during the year 2022 or have been vaccinated. Often even both, which provides significant coverage against severe forms of the virus. For a healthy person, a new Covid-19 infection is therefore very likely to be mild.
But to be clear, a test is necessary “if there is any doubt”, confides to Figaro Philippe Besset, president of the federation of pharmaceutical unions of France (FSPF). “You can have a legitimate reason to want to know,” he adds. For example if you are about to rub shoulders with an elderly or immunocompromised person”. Today, the majority of tests are carried out in pharmacies. It is then an antigenic test that it is still possible to carry out, whether one is vaccinated or not.
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On the other hand, the SIDEP epidemic surveillance system no longer exists. “The pharmacist therefore delivers the result of the antigenic test on site, you have to wait” 15 to 30 minutes, specifies Philippe Besset. No more receipt of SMS indicating that the results are therefore ready. “This means that the pharmacist issues a certificate that he makes himself just to indicate the result”, details this representative of the profession.
In this case, the price of the test (16.50 euros in all) is covered 70% by health insurance and 30% by the patient’s mutual insurance company. An exception applies for “people at risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19” for whom “100% coverage by Health Insurance” persists, indicates the latter on its site. These include “people aged 65 and over” or “immunocompromised people”.
Another solution, buy self-tests at 3.35 euros per unit, but which “are not reimbursed”. In this case, “you have to do one immediately and another three days later to be sure of the result”, recalls Philippe Besset. Performing a PCR test is also possible in medical biology laboratories. According to the government site, the same reimbursement conditions as antigens then apply.
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Isolation is no longer mandatory since January 31, 2023, reminds the government, even in the event of a positive test. On the other hand, if you are a carrier of the virus, you must “respect barrier gestures and wear a mask”, advises Philippe Besset. You must also wash your hands “frequently and avoid contact with elderly or fragile people”, adds the government.
No. Health Insurance no longer tracks contact cases as it did via telephone calls in the heart of the epidemic. On the other hand, “if the Covid-19 test is positive, it is important to notify your family, those around you and the people you meet within 48 hours before the appearance of symptoms of Covid-19 or within seven days before the test. positive in the absence of symptoms”, details the Health Insurance.
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No longer automatically, isolation is no longer mandatory. On the other hand, favoring telework is recommended. Obtaining a work stoppage remains possible on the decision of a doctor, if “your state of health does not allow you to work”. “Like any work stoppage, you have 48 hours to send the notice to your health insurance fund and, if you are an employee, to your employer”, adds Health Insurance, specifying that the “derogatory compensation scheme work stoppages”. A waiting period therefore applies, like any work stoppage.
Isolation is not mandatory. Just like carrying out a test, even if it remains recommended “especially if you notice the appearance of symptoms (headaches, temperature, etc.)”, details the government.
