Do French Doctors Recruit Chinese to Deal New COVID-19?

 

French Professional Doctors recruit Chinese people in France to tackle New Coronavirus

France has now confirmed 3 cases of new coronavirus nCov-2019 infection. The Paris China Medical Clinic (CIMSF) is Europe's first green channel for Chinese patients in a public hospital. The clinic is set up in the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in the 13th district of Paris. Nana, the person in charge of the clinic and the attending doctor of the emergency department of the hospital, has answered many questions about the French medical treatment and diagnosis process.

 

At the same time, the "European Times" also contacted Professor Arnaud Fontanet, the head of the New Epidemiology Department of the Institut Pasteur in France, and François Bricaire, the chief physician of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Diseases of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. The role and travel notes to understand their views.

 

In recent days, Dr. Nana has answered many questions about the French medical treatment and diagnosis process. 

The answers by Dr. Nana are summarized as follows:

 

1. Who needs to suspect nCov-2019 coronavirus infection?

 

There are two necessary conditions to be met at the same time:

 

a. Patients who have been to any epidemic area (especially Wuhan) within 14 days of onset.

 

b. Fever (including low-grade fever), fatigue, stomach cold, sore throat, cough and other symptoms, severe cases may have shortness of breath, chest pain and difficulty breathing.

 

In view of some reports of "atypical" cases in China, you need to be vigilant if you have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or conjunctivitis.

 

2. What should I do if I suspect that I have nCov-2019 coronavirus infection?

 

a. First self-isolate at home

 

b. Then dial the national toll free number 15 of SAMU Emergency Center

 

Please do not go to the emergency department or family doctor by yourself.

 

3. What if the doctor dispatched by the SAMU Emergency Center determines that you are a suspected case?

Waiting at home, SAMU will assign a doctor with protective measures and an ambulance or fire truck to take you to the designated hospital for nCov infection for examination and isolation. The patient only needs to wear a general surgical mask.

 

4. What examination can confirm the diagnosis after hospitalization?

Nasopharyngeal secretions need to be taken for nCov-PCR testing and other common respiratory virus testing.

The results will take 4-5 hours. If necessary, blood sampling and chest CT examinations are required.

5. What if COVID test result is +ve or -ve?

 If the result of the nCov-PCR test is negative, the isolation is lifted, and you can go home on the same day or the next day, or be transferred to a routine department for hospitalization. If the result is positive, isolation treatment is required.

 

6. Is there a specific medicine for nCov-2019 infection?

Without special antiviral drugs, most mild patients only need to undergo symptomatic and supportive treatment, such as antipyretic analgesic treatment, fluid rehydration treatment, etc. If a combined bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotic treatment is needed.

 

7. Will nCov coronavirus infection be serious?

Most of the infections are mild and can be cured on their own. The course of the disease is about 2 weeks. There are also a very small number of severe complications, especially for patients with poor resistance and chronic diseases. Therefore, mild patients are detected early and isolated. Treatment can effectively reduce the risk of infection and mortality.

 

8. What if you do not speak French? 

Please contact doctor Nana of Paris Medical Outpatient Clinic at docteurna@gmail.com in time via email and leave your contact information. I will directly contact the SAMU center in your area after the phone consultation. 

If there is any change in the medical procedure, Dr. Nana said that she will notify everyone in time.

 

Should I wear a mask for antivirus? What French experts have something to say?

Recently, a news says that "French pharmacy masks were bought out by the Chinese" was reported by many French media:

The French "Le Monde" reported that "French pharmacy masks were bought out by the Chinese". (Image source: screenshot of the webpage of Le Monde)

In addition, a French netizen tweeted on the 24th that when his Asian wife was riding a train, she was verbally abused and driven off the train for wearing a mask. But his wife did not contract the disease, and wearing a mask was only for the purpose of preventing infection.

 

Not only that, some Chinese-language websites also posted posts such as "Chinese people wearing masks in Milan, take off your masks!", and netizens also had a lively discussion about whether it is "for face" or "for safety"

 

Should I wear it? How did the French Ministry of Health respond?

 

On the official Q&A page of the Ministry of Health (https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/soins-et-maladies/maladies/maladies-infectieuses/coronavirus/coronavirus-questions-reponses) 

The problem is stated as follows:

 

"It is recommended that patients with symptoms wear surgical masks (masque chirurgical) to prevent the disease from spreading through the air.

 

It is not recommended that healthy people wear this type of mask for the purpose of preventing infection, and its effectiveness has not been proven.

 

Medical staff who are in close contact with the patient use special protective equipment. "

 

In other words, if you are healthy, it is not recommended to wear a mask when going out, and the effectiveness of blue surgical masks to isolate infection has not been proven.

 

French Minister of Health Buzan also reiterated the same statement in an interview, that healthy people wear masks "useless", sick people need to wear masks: 

"Blue mask (we call surgical mask) is a mask you must wear when you are sick , The purpose is to avoid spreading bacteria to people around." She also mentioned that the (white, pointed) "protective masks" are "mainly reserved for nursing staff who are in close contact with patients."

 

Therefore, if you wear a mask to go out in France, people are likely to be regarded as an infected patient, and it is not difficult to understand the above-mentioned "driving people out of the car" panic phenomenon.

 

In addition, after a special meeting with Prime Minister Philip, Buzan also announced on Sunday (26th) afternoon that there are currently 6 new suspected cases in France still waiting for test results, and "all the infected have been to/from China. ".

 

She also assured that the pharmacy is out of stock and don’t panic because the government’s material inventory is sufficient: 

“We have millions of masks in stock.

 If we start to require relevant people to wear masks, the health authorities will distribute them to those in need People." She emphasized the "protective measures" (mesures barrières) that need to be taken: cover your cough with your elbow, use disposable tissues, wear a mask, and wash your hands frequently.

 

However, this does not seem to completely calm people's concerns. On the 26th, Europe contacted Professor Arnaud Fontanet, Head of the Department of Novel Epidemiology at the Institut Pasteur, France, and Director of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris Doctor François Bricaire understands their views on two issues.

 

Question 1: Even though surgical masks "cannot be very effective" to provide protection (effective FFP2 masks are out of stock), considering the population density of Paris and people often coughing and sneezing in public (that is, they do not always comply with " Protective measures”), then is wearing a surgical mask “better than nothing”?

 (After all, although France welcomes a large number of Chinese tourists, its actions in airport protection are later than other European countries. Therefore, is it too "optimistic" to judge that "France has no virus spread" and "masks are useless"? )

 

Question 2: Is it necessary to avoid public places such as shopping malls, supermarkets and gymnasiums in France?

In this regard, Arnaud Fontanet’s answer is more optimistic, consistent with the statement of the French Ministry of Health:

 “1. Masks are useful for patients (coronavirus or flu patients) and can protect those around him. But in view of the French The risk is extremely low, so it is not necessary for healthy people;

 

2. No, there are very few new cases of new coronavirus infection in France (probably none)".

 

And François Bricaire’s answer is more euphemistic: “For the first question, the answer is yes: a simple FFP1 mask is already a good filtering device.

 

For the second question, the answer is more complicated. Of course, in infected areas, it is indeed best to avoid public places."