Fear of coronavirus "is legitimate", but "the government is taking all measures ...
"Fear is legitimate, because this coronavirus we hear a lot about, and when we live on an island - it is the large part of the overseas territories outside of Guyana - we know very well what it can mean in such a closed environment, ”said Annick Girardin.
Several territories are experiencing a wave of panic, with demonstrations against the arrival of tourists and alarmist rumors on social networks. "There is currently" no case of coronavirus infection in overseas France, said Ms. Girardin. "We know how to treat this type of disease on French soil, in the overseas territories as in France," she insisted.
She also called for "vigilance and calm" and invited the population to "go to the government website for all the information".
"Fear is the first reaction and communicating your fear with social networks is extremely easy", but "in this case, the information must be official", she insisted.
Setting up a toll free number in overseas
She said that a "variation" of the toll-free information number deployed in mainland France, "will be set up in the overseas territories, so that there is no difficulty in jet lag".
With the prefects and the regional health agencies, the minister said to have made "a precise point" in particular to "define the referral hospitals, the isolation procedures if we had to do it, the medical evacuation organizations in some cases if it could be necessary ”. "An assessment of stocks of masks" was also made, and the authorities have determined "which territory can make tests and analyze the tests" and which will have to "send them elsewhere because they do not necessarily have laboratories".
Even if no territory is affected for the moment, "I would like everyone to prepare for it, because an island does not prevent the arrival of a virus". "I want to reassure, while saying let's get ready," she insisted.
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