In recent weeks, the Covid-19 epidemic has spread to the West Indies. Infection rates exceed 2,000 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Guadeloupe, and approach 1,200 in Martinique, while the two islands are reconfigured.

“We don’t get out unharmed.”

“The health situation is incompatible with what we have seen in previous waves and especially in the French capital,” said Health Minister Olivier Veran, who is traveling to CHU in Fort-de-France.

“We don’t come out unharmed visiting this hospital. The patients are young, very young. In the emergency room, they’re between 40-50 years old. In intensive care, they could be 20 or 30 years old,” he said. At the same time, a hundred people demonstrated in front of the hospital against the necessity of vaccinating caregivers and the lack of chronic means.

According to the Minister of Health, the patients “do not necessarily suffer from what is called comorbidities. They are people who were healthy a few days ago and today they are on their stomachs, under intubation., in a coma in the intensive care unit”, stressing that “there is not a single patient who is vaccinated in Intensive care “.

“This testifies to the need to boost, accelerate and amplify vaccination,” he emphasized, as the vaccination rate is among the lowest in Martinique.

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Aid of 100,000 euros from Paris

After reinforcements arrived in recent days, other doctors will have to go to the West Indies. In all, 100 intensive care beds will be opened in Martinique and another 100 beds in Guadeloupe.

This Thursday, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced a subsidy of 100,000 euros for the two islands, respectively 50,000 euros each.