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Day: 27 November 2020

What is Monaco’s “favourable” situation?

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/11/2020

The Principality’s coronavirus situation continues to improve, with the latest figures showing that the incidence rate in Monaco has dropped to a third of what it was three weeks ago.

The Joint Covid-19 Monitoring Committee met on 24th November to discuss the latest decisions taken and to be taken with regard to the health crisis and it’s “social and economic consequences”.

It was revealed that, since new measures were put in place on 1st November, daily cases have been on a steady decline, prompting the possibility of a loosening of restrictions over the coming weeks, if the situation remains stable.

We learned from the last committee meeting in early November that Monaco’s incidence rate was 7%. Now, the government says that number has been divided by three in the space of just three weeks.

Incidence rates are defined as the number of people infected over a seven-day period per 100,000 inhabitants. In the case of Monaco, whose population does not reach that number, the figures are adjusted.

Meanwhile, wastewater analysis has also shown a decrease in the circulation of the virus.

Covid testing

Screening has continued at a high level throughout Monaco, and the National Screening Centre has been steadily increasing its capacity to receive people, going from four stations to eight. This is coupled with the new Cobas 6800 machine at the Monaco Scientific Centre, which is able to process tests at a much faster rate than pervious methods, giving people faster results.

Vaccines

It was also revealed that the Prince’s Government has already ordered vaccines against Covid-19 and that it has a vaccination strategy, which will come into effect as soon as the vaccines are delivered to Monaco after having received marketing certification from European and French health authorities. Storage equipment is already in place for the jabs that require very low temperatures.

Specifics as to who gets vaccinated and when will be forthcoming when the time comes, said the government. There will also be more news on the types of vaccines available and the methods for administering them.

Flu jabs

The government’s free seasonal flu campaign has been effective, with a total of 12,100 people immunised so far – about a third of the population – compared to 4,500 the previous year. This comes as welcome news to health authorities, who are hoping to avoid the repercussions of both the seasonal flu and the Covid virus circulating at the same time.

 
Photo source: Pixabay
 
 
 

1st ground breaking forum on ocean and human health

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2020

The highly anticipated forum titled ‘Human health and the ocean in a changing world’ will finally go ahead in Monaco in December, featuring input from the world’s leading experts and culminating in the first ever ‘Declaration of Monaco’.
The forum, originally postponed because of Covid, will be held over two days – Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd December – incorporating face-to face sessions at One Monte-Carlo and videoconferences.
The event is free and open to all, however prior registration is necessary.
It is being jointly organised by the Boston College, the Scientific Centre of Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
“The interactions between ocean and human health are numerous, complex and yet largely unknown to the major part of the public, the stakeholders and the scientific community. While the future state of the ocean will largely determine the future health and well-being of everyone,” says Professor Patrick Rampal, head of the Steering Committee, in his foreword on the programme.
Held under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the program will focus on three sessions. The first topic to be discussed is the risks that oceans can present to human health, in particular those caused by climate change, including the warming of sea water and extreme weather phenomena.
The next topic of discussion on Wednesday focusses on the benefits that oceans can provide, in particular for food, molecules extracted from the seabed for pharmacological use, and the positive effects on health and well-being caused by contact with marine spaces, called “blue health”.
The whole of day two on Thursday will be devoted to a major theme: the effects of ocean pollution on human health.
There will be 12 physical or virtual summary presentations by renowned international speakers, as well as 12 short articles, selected by the Scientific Committee of the Symposium from among the 95 scientific articles submitted by researchers.
The forum will culminate in a final report and a ‘Declaration of Monaco’.
For more information and registration, visit: http://www.oceanhealthmonaco.org
 
 

Hoping to head to the slopes this season?

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/11/2020

Holidays in the snow are definitely possible this festive season, although there will be no “skiing” per se any time soon.

In his televised address on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said coronavirus risks are making it “impossible” for winter sports to resume in December, despite an easing of restrictions on the 15th.

Then, in a rather confusing turn of events, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Thursday that ski resorts in France will indeed be allowed to open for the holiday season, but that lifts must remain closed.  

“Of course, they will be open to everyone…to go to these resorts to enjoy the pure air of our beautiful mountains. The shops, excluding bars and restaurants, will be open. Simply, all the ski lifts and public utilities will be closed to the public,” the prime minister said.

As mystifying as this news may be, there is more than one way to scale a mountain. Ski-touring is a sport allowing skiers to hike uphill using a piece of fabric attached to the base of skis to prevent slipping, though the extra exertion may not be appealing, or even possible, for all.  

Some resorts, such as Morzine, are preparing for whatever comes and are reminding their clientele that plenty of other outdoor activities are still possible and that shops are open, as are many restaurants, who are offering takeaway fare.  

Jean-Luc Boch, President of France Montagnes, the association of French ski resorts, has reportedly asked for a meeting with the PM to try and sway the decision. In the meantime, they are officially keeping schtum, in the hope that a more favourable outcome will occur.

Germany and Italy have been in accord with France in the idea that ski resorts should remain shuttered through the Christmas season, but Austria and Switzerland are not happy to fall in line.

Austria, whose popular Ischgl resort is thought by many to have been the setting for one of the original super-spreader events early in the Covid crisis, is against staying closed, saying they have learned lessons from last year and would have strict hygiene protocols in place and no apres-ski bars.

Switzerland has already reopened some resorts, and are hoping that social distancing in queues, mandatory mask wearing, and limits or outright bans on apres-ski gatherings will allow at least domestic tourism to go ahead.

France’s line, along with Germany and Italy, is that if one country allows skiers in, the possibility of them returning with the virus goes up, thus creating a whole new wave. The ski resorts in France will be eligible for government compensation, but that is cold comfort for an industry that generates €10 billion annually and employs 120,000 seasonal workers.

A final decision on the matter is expected in the coming days.

 

Photo source: Pixabay