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Covid: Xenothera's therapy, Xav-19, working against Omicron

And what if, amid the fight against Covid, one could rely – in addition to the upcoming vaccine – on antibody-based treatments? After Bamlanivimab – the treatment developed by the Eli Lilly laboratory – or even Regeneron, this is now French Nantes-based laboratory Xenothera’s turn to present a treatment undergoing clinical trials, Xav-19. According to primary studies, the therapy is effective against Covid's Omicron variant, but waiting for the green light for marketing from early 2022.

Omicron variant: the risk remains “very high” according to the WHO

Faced with the swift spread of Omicron across the world, the WHO is warning against the still “very high” risk related to this new variant.

Covid: every second, "more than two French are diagnosed positive", Olivier Véran announces

New Covid-19 positive case toll record in France with 208,000 new cases reported over the past 24 hours. "Every second, in our country, over two French are diagnosed positive to Covid. We've never seen such a situation", Olivier Véran acknowledged this December 29, 2021, in front of the Law Commission at the National Assembly.

Covid: antigen tests less effective to detect Omicron, according to American health authorities

As the Omicron variant dominates in several countries across the world, are PCR and antigen tests likely to detect this new variant? According to the U.S. health authorities, antigen tests are less sensitive to Omicron.

Covid and isolation: new rules to come soon for positive cases and contact cases

To date, people who have been in touch with someone infected with the Omicron variant must self-isolate for seven days, or even 17 days if they live in the same place. Following the latest health defense council, Jean Castex announced the self-isolation period for Covid-19 positive cases and contact cases will change soon. These new isolation rules are to be announced by the end of the week by the French government.

Covid: a negative test soon to be required in addition to the vaccinal pass to access some venues in France?

And what if, in addition to the vaccinal pass, a negative Covid test was required to access some public places in France? According to Le Parisien daily, the government is considering this possibility as the new case toll is booming in the country because of the 5th wave and the Omicron variant.

Covid: Omicron likely to be predominant in France “between Christmas and New Year’s Eve”, Véran thinks

Will Omicron be dominant in France by the end of the year? This is what Olivier Véran thinks. Invited this Wednesday December 22, 2021 on BFMTV, the French Health Minister thinks the Omicron variant will be predominant in the country “between Christmas and New Year’s Eve”.

Covid: departments in France the Omicron variant spreads the most

As the Omicron variant is swiftly spreading across the country, some departments in France seem to be hit harder than others. What are the territories Omicron spreads the most in? Keep reading to find out more.

Coronavirus – the epidemic is breaking out again, 20% of contaminations caused by Omicron

The coronavirus epidemic is escalating in France because of the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants. According to Gabriel Attal, the latter is found in 20% of new contaminations in France.

Covid: France will not require tests from EU countries, Emmanuel Macron announces

Emmanuel Macron announced France will not submit EU travelers to tests.

Covid: 240 Omicron cases confirmed in France

According to the latest official counting released this Wednesday December 15, 2021, there are 240 Omicron cases in France as confirmed by Santé Publique France.

Coronavirus – Fifth wave: towards new restrictions in France for the Holidays?

While the coronavirus case toll is sharply increasing in France, the government could be gathering for a new defense council this Friday December 17, 2021. Shall new restrictions be expected?

Covid: a booster shot 3 months past the latest injection “safe and effective”, the EMA says

This Thursday, the European Medicines Agency announced booster shots can be given in a “safe and effective” fashion only three months past the latest injection.

Coronavirus: the Haute Autorité de Santé does not approve emergency marketing of molnupiravir

The Haute Autorité de Santé announced - in a report issued on December 10 - they do not approve the emergency use of molnupiravir (Lafevrio) to prevent coronavirus infection. The issue goes against what the European Medicines Agency announced this past November 19, namely approving the emergency use of the drug in case of emergency.

Omicron: “partial decrease in the vaccine” effectiveness, but “results need confirmation”

According to Pr. Anne-Claud Crémeiux, vaccines are partially less effective against the new Omicron variant, a study found.

Covid: Omicron variant spotted in Europe as soon as November 19th

The Dutch health authorities claim they have spotted the Omicron variant in a test collected this past November 19th, namely over 10 days ago and before the first reports in South Africa.

Covid: an Institut Pasteur study reminds the importance of room-airing and facemask-wearing

An Institut Pasteur study published in The Lancet magazine reminds the importance of room-airing and facemask-wearing as France is hit by a fifth Covid wave.

Covid: because of the Delta variant, vaccines reduced transmission dropped to 40%, WHO claimed

This Wednesday November 24, World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed that because of the Delta variant, vaccines reduced transmission dropped to 40%.

Covid: Paris reaches the “maximal alert” threshold of 250 cases for 100,000 inhabitants

The “maximal alert” threshold of 250 cases for 100,000 inhabitants has now been reached in Paris becoming then the hardest-hit department in Île-de-France and the eighth in France.

Covid: Kevzara (sarilumab) underperforming as a therapy, according to an AP-HP study

According to an AP-HP study issued this November 23, 2021, Kevzara (sarilumab) - a potential cure to Covid - does not seem to have delivered conclusive results as for its effectiveness to avoid deaths after hospitalization. The study confirms results of the clinical trial led by Sanofi who announced in September 2020 they were ending their clinical trial after results of this study were inconclusive.