The Covid-19 incidence rate is on the rise again in Monaco and surrounding regions, triggering fears that an eighth wave is imminent. Here’s the latest.  

Circulation of the Covid virus in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region has risen in all departments.

The Alpes-Maritimes, along with the Alpes de Haute Provence and Vaucluse, have had the most dramatic increases. In the Alpes-Maritimes, the rate surged to 250.92 during the week of 7^th to 13^th September from 190.66 the previous week. By the 16^th of September, there was another rise to 277.6, with a positivity rate of 17.7%.

In the Alpes de Haute Provence, the rate from 31^st August to 6^th September was 220.4. The week after, the rate went up to 306.19, a 38.9% increase. Meanwhile, the Var went from 189.4 to 228.8, a 20.8% increase, and the Haute-Alpes had a 23.6% rise from 216.2 to 267.26 during the same two-week period.

The French Minister of Health and Prevention François Braun told France Inter on 19^th September, “We are on armed vigilance in the face of this eighth wave which, we have been told by all the scientists, will arrive.”

Monaco recorded 109 new positive cases among residents and non-residents in the week ending 18^th September. It took the incidence rate to 174, double the previous week’s figure of 87, according to the latest government figures.