THE ESSENTIAL
- A new anti-Covid treatment with synthetic antibodies, Xevudy, has been approved by French health authorities, who deem it promising against infection with Omicron.
- Other drugs have just been withdrawn because of their ineffectiveness against the new variant.
“Children, like many of the under 40 age group, play a very important role in the spread of the virus (…). We can see this because there is transmission between children and parents, and sometimes centers of transmission in schools “.
In an interview given on BFM TV, virologist Bruno Lina explained that children play a very important role in the spread of Covid-19.
Omicron is “about 80% more transmissible”
The Omicron variant is “about 80% more transmissible” than the others, said this pillar of the scientific council. “Under these conditions, people who were probably less susceptible to the virus, such as children, are now able to be affected very effectively”, he continues.
According to figures from the Ministry of National Education, 47,453 cases of contamination of students were declared from Monday to Thursday. A record was even reached among teachers, with 5,631 positive cases. To protest against the anti-Covid measures put in place in schools, the vast majority of teachers’ unions called for a national strike Thursday, January 13 in schools, colleges and high schools, denouncing in particular “an indescribable mess”.
21,000 people are hospitalized
The share of contamination due to the Omicron variant in new cases has increased significantly in recent days. Currently, more than 21,000 people are hospitalized due to Covid-19 and 3,815 are in intensive care.