While the first cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in several European countries, France has already decided to take its steps. Thus, on Saturday, November 27, the Ministry of Health announced in a press release intended for caregivers that all contact cases of people who tested positive for this new strain of Covid-19 should isolate themselves, even if they are completely vaccinated, report Franceinfo and 20 Minutes. “Any contact at risk of a possible case or of a confirmed case of the B1.1.529 variant, regardless of their vaccination status, must be considered as ‘high risk contact’ and must therefore be placed in quarantine”, specifies the ministry in his communicated.
The Directorate General of Health (DGS) invites caregivers and laboratories to exercise great vigilance, in particular when questioning screened persons. In particular by questioning “on a potential stay abroad in the 14 days preceding the date of the symptoms or the sample or on a potential contact at risk with a person having stayed there”. And more specifically for people returning from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. “Particular attention must be paid to the overseas territories of Reunion and Mayotte which are in direct or indirect connection with these countries”, also insist the health authorities.
>> Read also – Covid-19: several cases of the Omicron variant detected in Europe
For people returning from one of these destinations and showing symptoms, the DGS recommends performing a PCR test, even if it has already performed an antigen test. Accelerated sequencing of any positive sample should then be performed to determine whether it is the B1.1.529 variant. “A reinforced contact-tracing will be carried out by the CPAM for all possible cases and the ARS for confirmed cases”, adds the DGS.
>> Read also – Covid-19: the Omicron variant represents a “high to very high” risk for Europe
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