Recommendations, management, symptoms... Where are we with Covid-19?

Since its emergence, Covid-19 has evolved in several waves throughout the year. Since September 2025, there has been an upsurge in cases of this viral infectious disease, linked to a new variant.

The Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Fund and Public Health France recall the importance of vaccination and barrier gestures to protect against respiratory infection and its complications, and to limit the risk of transmission to those around him and particularly to vulnerable people.

What are the right things to do to protect yourself from Covid-19?

To protect yourself and others, it is recommended to adopt preventive actions simple:

• wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based solution (especially before caring for a baby and before preparing a meal, serving it or eating, as well as after blowing your nose and arriving at your office or home after taking public transportation);
• coughing or sneezing at your elbow or covering your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue;
• blow your nose in a disposable tissue and then throw it away;
• avoid touching your face;
• greet without shaking hands and stop embracing;
• respect as far as possible a distance of at least 2 meters from each other;
• wear a surgical mask or FFP2 mask, especially if you have symptoms such as fever and/or cough or sneeze, or if you are in contact with someone who has a fever and/or cough;
• ventilate each room as often as possible (about 10 minutes every hour, if possible).

What are the common symptoms of Covid-19?

The symptoms of Covid-19 can vary from person to person but the most common are:

• fever or chills;
• dry cough;
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest;
• muscle pain;
• headaches;
• unusual fatigue;
• sudden loss of smell (without nasal obstruction) or complete disappearance of taste;
• sore throat;
• nasopharyngitis (runny nose);
• diarrhea.

The first symptoms appear after an incubation of about 5 days.

Some people can be asymptomatic (not showing symptoms); however, they are still contagious.

What to do if you test positive for Covid-19?

When you are aware of the positive result of the Covid-19 test, it is recommended to contact your doctor to assess the importance of your symptoms; to accompany you and ensure follow-up throughout your disease.

If your health condition does not allow you to work, including remotely, he prescribes a work stoppage. Whether you are an employee, a public official or a self-employed person, you must report this work stoppage to your health insurance fund.

You are also invited to inform, as soon as you know the positive result of your test, the people you have been in contact with recently. They can then carry out a test, if necessary. You must, moreover, avoid contact with frail people at risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19.