WHO DECLARED CORONAVIRUS CALLED COVID-19 AS PANDEMIC

USPA NEWS - On January 7, 2020, the discovery of a new coronavirus linked to cases of viral-like pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in China was officially announced by the Chinese health authorities. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern - USPPI. WHO named the disease caused by this new coronavirus COVID-19 on February 11. In France, the result is 1 death, 11 cured, and 2 new cases. Of the fourteen confirmed cases in France of infection with the new coronavirus, a Chinese man died in Paris, 11 other patients are cured and two new cases were declared on Tuesday. In France, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health has published on its official site, and that of the French government, the recommendations for travelers from France to abroad, and China in particular. We publish all of these official recommendations. The Covid-19 pneumonia epidemic continued on Tuesday, February 25, to spread to several countries.

In China, an additional 71 deaths have been reported, the lowest daily number in more than two weeks, but elsewhere in the world, the epidemic is on the increase. In France, two new cases of contamination have been identified. The government is preparing for a possible "epidemic": precautionary measures for people returning from Italy, "activation" of 77 hospitals, reinforced sanitation----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Italy, the death toll reached 10, up from seven earlier today. Now, the official statement said, 322 people are infected in the country, the first on the European continent to set up a cordon cordon around ten cities. A total of eight regions and one autonomous province are affected. Since January 24, 2020, 12 cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in France. As of February 24: 11 patients are cured; 1 patient aged 80 died on February 14. In case of signs of respiratory infection (fever or feeling of fever, cough, breathing difficulties) within 14 days of your return from China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao), Singapore, South Korea, or regions from Lombardy and Veneto in Italy, do not go to your doctor, call 15 to report your trip. For all information and recommendations concerning the new COVID-19 coronavirus by telephone, call 0 800 130 000 every day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

As of January 10, the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health and Public Health sent regional health agencies, learned societies (emergency physicians, emergency medical services, infectious disease specialists) conduct sheets to be kept and case definitions. Hospitals, medico-social establishments and liberal health professionals were made aware of the situation and the recommendations as of January 14. The Institut Pasteur has also set up a rapid diagnostic test to give a result in a few hours. On January 25 following the confirmation of the first cases in France, a procedure for identifying and monitoring contact cases (person having been in contact with a confirmed case) personalized and daily was implemented via the Regional Health Agencies.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On February 8 following the appearance of a cluster (grouping of several cases around an initial case) in Haute-Savoie, the five confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus, four adults and one child, were hospitalized as well as 6 other close contacts. A crisis unit has been set up by the Regional Health Agency of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to monitor the situation and find all of the contact cases. The three schools attended by the sick child will be closed for two weeks as a precaution and to carry out the necessary investigations (diagnostic test). The search and test operation for contact cases was started immediately. An exceptional consultation center was installed on February 9 in the entertainment room of the commune of Contamines-Montjoi in order to screen the children of the school where the sick child attended school.------------------------------------------- The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has updated its advice sheets for travelers to countries affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus. Travel advice is being reassessed based on the evolving international epidemiological situation and WHO recommendations. Individual fact sheets and posters in French, English and Chinese have also been sent to metropolitan and overseas airports in connection with China. A specific welcome for travelers for flights from China, Hong Kong and Macao has been provided since January 25 at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Saint-Denis de la Réunion. This system is provided by personnel from approved civil security associations in connection with the airport medical service, reinforced by medical and paramedical health professionals from the health reserve of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health. In addition, the health recommendations of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health, to be followed for 14 days, are distributed at airports to all travelers from China. In view of the evolving context of the new coronavirus epidemic, the restrictions decided by the Chinese authorities, the closure of schools and universities and the reduction of air links, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs advises against travel to China except imperative reason. A system for monitoring and responding to the concerns of the French present in China has been in place since January 23 by the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the French Embassy in Beijing and all of the consulates general in China.

France proceeded in connection with the Chinese authorities, on January 31 and February 2, to return the French who wanted it by direct air from Wuhan. This operation included a medical team. On their arrival on the national territory, the persons concerned were confined in reception places in Carry-le-Rouet and Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône) for a period of 14 days, maximum period of virus incubation. During their stay, these people were all tested several times for the coronavirus: all the tests came back negative. The containment measures have therefore been lifted. 35 other Frenchmen benefited from a British flight and arrived in Aix-en-Provence on February 9. They were confined for 14 days. Following the completion of negative revenue diagnostic tests, the containment measures were lifted.--------------------------------------------------------------- On February 12, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health announced that 2 patients among the 11 cases of coronavirus infection detected in France are now cured and have been discharged from the hospital. The next day, a third healed patient was also released from the hospital. The Regional Health Agencies (ARS) were asked by the Ministry of Solidarity and Health on February 13 to activate the ORSAN plan which aims to organize the mobilization of the health system to prepare for a possible active circulation of the coronavirus on French territory.------------------------------------------------------------------------- On February 14, a 4th patient, among 11 cases of coronavirus infection detected in France, was declared cured and released from the hospital. On February 15, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health announced that an 80-year-old patient, who was hospitalized in France, died. A 12th case of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in France was confirmed on February 15. It is the 6th case of the grouped contamination identified on February 8 in Haute-Savoie. He has remained in strict isolation at the hospital since that time, in accordance with the enhanced contact case surveillance procedure. As of February 18, of the 4 French nationals aboard the cruise ship “Diamond Princess“, 3 were confirmed positive for coronavirus. They are all supported by the Japanese health authorities-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A fourth repatriation flight landed in France on February 21 in the morning: 64 people were repatriated by this flight (28 French and beneficiaries and 36 Europeans and beneficiaries). Foreign nationals returned directly to their country of origin. French nationals are welcomed in a center located in Branville, in Calvados. Although they are all asymptomatic (that is to say, they do not present any symptoms), they will remain as a precaution confined in the center for a period of 14 days, which corresponds to the maximum duration of incubation of the virus. They will undergo medical monitoring during this period. On February 23, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health announced the activation on Monday February 24 of 70 health facilities with an emergency medical service, in addition to 38 front-line health facilities. A total of 108 establishments are therefore able to receive patients with COVID-19. Now, each French department has at least one healthcare establishment capable of taking charge of them. In addition, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health announced an increase in biological diagnostic capacities, which were then 400 tests per day. As of the week of February 24, several thousand tests may be performed daily to meet the need. A guide containing practical answers to many questions is available to all healthcare professionals. Its distribution, since the week of February 17, aims to mobilize the three sectors of the care offer. Finally, FFP2 masks are made available to all healthcare professionals. These are personal protective equipment intended for carers in close contact with a confirmed patient; an order for several million of these masks is in progress. Regarding surgical masks (anti-projection masks), France has significant stocks. Source: French Ministry of Health