Second COVID-19 wave faster than the first, according to top European scientist
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According to a top French scientist the coronavirus second wave is spreading more quickly than the first outbreak.
“The virus is circulating more quickly… the resurgence of the pandemic started in August,” French government scientific adviser Arnaud Fontanet told BFM TV. He recalled how France had managed to bring the virus under control by the end of the June, and because the number of people being taken to hospital remained low until the end of August, authorities were given a false sense of security despite cases already going up at the time.
“And then there was one cold week in September and all the indicators went the wrong way again all over Europe. The virus spreads better in the cold because we live more inside,” said the epidemiologist.
“Hospitals and medical staff will find themselves in a situation they’ve already known,” he said. “We have a lot of tools to protect ourselves against the virus but we’re facing a difficult period,” he added, reflecting the words of Prime Minister Jean Castex, who warned of a “tough November” as the French government extended a curfew imposed last week on Paris and eight other cities to dozens more areas.
The 9pm to 6am curfew comes into force at midnight tonight and 46 million people – almost two-thirds of the country’s 67 million population – will be affected.
