Omicron on decline in France? Numbers in intensive care drop slowly
Admissions to critical and intensive care units and new cases of the virus continue to decline, as authorities continue to closely monitor the new strain of Omicron
The numbers of people in intensive care is dropping, but hospitalisations remain stable, and authorities are still monitoring the new variant strain
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The number of people in intensive care units is continuing to drop slowly in France, as cases of the ‘more contagious but less dangerous’ Omicron variant also decline.
The latest figures from health body Santé publique France (SPF) show the numbers of people in critical and intensive care units as:
- Friday, January 21: 3,792
- Saturday, January 22: 3,746
There were 214 new admissions yesterday, versus 329 on Friday. Overall, numbers are dropping.
The Omicron variant appears to be more contagious than previous strains, but is so far proving less dangerous, with fewer admissions to intensive care units and shorter stays in hospital.
Covid cases – while still high – are also on a downward trend, having dipped below 400,000 on Saturday, with 389,320 cases over the past 24 hours. The average daily figure over the past seven days is 356,651.
In contrast, the number of people in hospital (not intensive care units) for Covid-related conditions is stable but currently rising slowly (although hospital stays are generally short).
- Friday, January 21: 28,457
- Saturday, January 22: 28,515
Health authorities in France are closely monitoring the new strain of Omicron that has been detected in Denmark. It has been detected in France but at “very low levels”, SPF said.
It comes as more people took to the streets across the country in the latest protests against the vaccine pass, which is set to come into force tomorrow (Monday, January 24).
The vaccine pass will require all people aged 16 and over, who are eligible for the vaccine, to be fully vaccinated in order to access restaurants, bars, cross-regional transport and public leisure venues. Unlike the health pass, a negative Covid test will not suffice, except to enter healthcare facilities.
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