Covid-19 circulation going down in Paris, used water analysis shows

Circulation of the Covid-19 virus has been going down in Ile-de-France since March 22, the water monitor Obépine has found.

The region contains eight of the 16 departments that, on March 20, were put under stricter rules to limit the spread of the virus. These rules have applied nationally since April 3.

Obépine analyses data from samples of used water collected in purification stations to measure and anticipate changes in the circulation of the virus.

Professor Vincent Maréchal, virologist at the Sorbonne and cofounder of Obépine, told FranceInfo yesterday, the reduction in circulation in the capital was “an encouraging sign” that was “probably” due to the stricter rules.

He said the “psychological impact” of more Covid restrictions being introduced could also have played a role.

“There is very probably a wider realisation now that we need to finish this. Barrier gestures are, without doubt, being respected more,” he said.