At the request of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health, Santé publique France has been mobilized for several weeks to coordinate the response to the exceptional public health situation caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Since January 25, 2020, three teams of reservists have been deployed:

• two teams within the quarantine facilities, where the Regional Health Agency and Santé publique France Paca are also heavily involved, providing comprehensive care for individuals repatriated from Wuhan;

• one team is responsible for informing passengers about preventive measures by distributing flyers and masks, and for identifying symptomatic passengers to potentially refer them to appropriate care upon the arrival of flights from China at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.

Deployment of the Health Reserve led by Santé publique France in the accommodation centers

Since January 30, 2020, and for the full duration of the 14-day quarantine, 60 reservists have been deployed to accommodation centers designed to keep individuals who have resided in Wuhan Province in isolation as part of the repatriation operation organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The two teams of reservists, who will take turns at each of the two sites—the Carry-le-Rouet center (13) and the ENSOSP center (13)—are specifically tasked with providing information to individuals regarding medical matters and hygiene and preventive measures related to COVID-19. They also provide on-call medical care, monitor people’s health, and screen for potential symptomatic cases of COVID-19 infection. The reservists include nurses, psychologists, doctors, pharmacists, public health specialists, and epidemiologists.

Visit to the Carry-le-Rouet center

The Vacanciel club in Carry-le-Rouet, which was taken over by health authorities for 14 days, was divided into two zones:

• a green zone where various personnel can coordinate care, logistics, meals, etc.;

• an orange zone subject to protective measures, where the 227 people repatriated from China since Friday, January 31, 2020, are housed. Among them are 184 French nationals and 43 foreign nationals.

In addition to them, 76 professionals are housed in the green zone, ensuring the daily organization of care, security, and other operations. Civil protection, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Michel Audibert, is specifically responsible for enforcing the established protocols and zoning, ensuring security, the smooth logistical operation of the site, and inter-service coordination. The Red Cross manages the daily needs of the repatriated individuals. In particular, it has set up a concierge service (access to desired products, cash withdrawals, etc.), provided a clothing closet stocked with donated new clothes to outfit returnees without personal belongings, and organizes activities to keep the children (51 on-site) occupied with the help of volunteers certified in youth recreation (BAFA). The Medical Reserve, meanwhile, handles medical consultations. Two counseling rooms are available for returnees, and the medical consultation rooms operate on a three-shift rotation. Reservists also handle on-call duties by phone during the night.

Visit to the ENSOSP Center

During her visit to the ENSOSP center, Geneviève Chêne met with the center’s director and Comptroller General, Hervé Ehard, and Serge Gouteyron, subprefect of the Aix-en-Provence district. A team of 10 reservists carries out its medical care missions alongside the firefighters, who are responsible for organizing the center, and the Red Cross, which provides activities for children and other essential logistical support.

Here, there are 76 repatriated individuals from 17 different countries who arrived on Sunday, January 2, and will be living together for 14 days. In the gymnasium of this firefighter training center, a play area for children has been set up, and ping-pong and foosball tables allow everyone to occupy their time just a few meters from the living quarters in the secure zone where they have been housed.