update on the number of hospitalizations at the CHU and patient profile
The Covid epidemic is regaining strength. In France, the number of contaminations per day is over 13,000. This is three times more than a month ago. The Toulouse University Hospital has recorded a slight increase in these patients. Interview with Professor Pierre Delobel, head of the infectious diseases department at Purpan.
The 5th wave of the epidemic is affecting France. This outbreak of infections cause a massive influx into the hospital? Is the number of unvaccinated patients greater than those vaccinated in intensive care? How to explain the presence of people with a complete vaccination schedule in the hospital? We asked these questions to Professor Pierre Delobel, head of infectious diseases at Chu Purpan in Toulouse.
In France, less than 8,000 Covid patients are hospitalized, including 1,300 in critical care services (the most serious cases), against 6,500 and 1,000 respectively a month earlier.
On the three sites of the Toulouse University Hospital (Larrey, Purpan, Rangueil), 38 Covid patients are currently hospitalized, including 12 in intensive care.
On sent a thrill. There is a slight increase from last week. But the situation is far from explosive.
Professor Pierre Delobel, Head of Infectious Diseases Chu Toulouse
The detail of the evolution of bed occupancy in hospitals on this graph.
Yes. The majority of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated people.
Currently, we have an over-representation of unvaccinated people
Professor Pierre Delobel
According to the head of infectious diseases, the “typical” profile of patients has not changed since the start of the pandemic. These are male patients, age, overweight and with comorbidities (diabetes, …)
In a very small proportion, there are vaccinated patients currently hospitalized at the Toulouse University Hospital. Professor Delobel recalls that the vaccine does not prevent catching the disease but in a less serious form.
A healthy adult who has two doses is not among the hospital patients
Professor Pierre Delobel
According to the doctor, vaccination “failures” are extremely rare and mainly affect immunocompromised patients, those who have received only one dose or who are far from the two doses. Because the effectiveness of vaccines against symptomatic infections declines over time.
To counter this drop in immunity responsible for a resumption of the epidemic, the High Authority for Health (HAS) recommended this Friday, November 19, 2021, to administer a third booster dose to everyone over 40 years of age.