The spreading of coronavirus in the Moselle and Grand Est departments is alarming. Health officials are doing everything in their power to control the threat and anticipate the worst-case scenario.

Taking stock of the situation

Nine people have died from coronavirus in the Grand Est region of France as of today. 464 people tested positive for the virus. The Haut Rhin department alone counts half of these confirmed cases. Didier Martin of the prefecture of the Moselle announced that "unsurprisingly, our department has not been spared." At a press conference on Wednesday, he announced that 47 people tested positive for the novel virus. 12 of them were hospitalised. The rest were treated and were able to go home.

The Grand Est - France's worst-affected region

A German health organisation labelled the Grand Est region a "risk zone." This new classification is alarming, finds director general of the ARS regional health authority. According to Christophe Lannelongue, the label of risk zone does not reflect the reality of the situation because the number of new infections is "limited" outside of the Haut-Rhin department.

The priorities

Lannelongue explained that "it is not enough to treat the ill, there must be strong preventive measures." He added that officials were trying to "anticipate the worst situations that could occur." Worst-case scenarios would include the saturation of hospitals coupled with a lack of artificial respirators. The high death toll in Italy, he explained, was partly due to the inability of hospitals to take in new patients in critical condition. Unlike China, France hopes to implement progressive and proportionate measures to "preserve to a maximum the economic and social activity."

He cited four crucial points:

  • The regional emergency centre ("Centre 15") is under "terrible pressure." He explained that officials were working on increasing available medical staff.
  • Testing now also takes place at the CHR hospital in Metz to disburden Nancy hospital. Officials are also seeking to work with private labs to ramp up testing capabilities 
  • New measures were taken to protect GPs and other medical staff.
  • Officials also plan on increasing resuscitation units.

Schools

Rector of the Grand Est academic region Jean Marc Huart attempted to assuage pupils and their parents. He explained that the virus rarely has severe consequences for young children or adolescents. No pupil has tested positive so far in Huart's academic region. A teacher at a school in Woippy contracted the virus. Her class was closed.

The school district is keeping a watchful eye on the developments of the situation and doing everything in its power to prevent the virus from spreading. Huart explained that school officials were extremely responsive but basing potential steps on verified data rather than speculation. Potential measures could include distance learning. In this case, the school would provide material to pupils who do not have computers at home. He reiterated that it was currently still "a question of anticipation" but stressed that the schools were ready to react if necessary.

"Everything is under control"

Many industries are feeling the sting of coronavirus. Events attracting more than 1000 people have been cancelled. Municipal elections will take place in large halls rather than confined rooms to minimise the risk of contamination.

The prefecture concluded that "everything is under control."