The fifth wave of coronavirus starts in a “lightning” way, and that of the screenings too. The number of Covid-19 tests jumped 40% last week, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday.
In total, just over 2.9 million were made the week of November 15, said the Drees in a statement, or 815,000 more than that of November 8 – which had a public holiday, just like that of November 1 where a low point was reached at 1.8 million.
Spectacular recovery in the under-16s
The recovery is spectacular among those under 16, whose number of tests doubled last week, to more than 730,000 – including a little less than 240,000 of salivary PCR carried out mainly in schools.
The trend is however increasing “for all age groups”, for the first time since October 15 and the end of reimbursement of “comfort tests” for people who are not fully vaccinated, with some exceptions ( medical prescription, contact case, recent positive test, contraindication to the vaccine).
The government does not plan to reverse this measure, the effect of which remains difficult to quantify. Contacted by AFP, the DREES is “unable” to distinguish “free” tests from “paid” tests and refers to the Health Insurance, which did not specify the number of reimbursed acts.