Key Points

In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the number of diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 cases and the incidence rate rose sharply again (+42%) in week 36 (August 31 to September 6) compared to the previous week. The number of people tested rose by only 10%, likely reflecting the beginning of a saturation of testing capacity, which is leading to longer delays in reporting results and consolidating these indicators—a trend that could further exacerbate this situation. Consequently, SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains increasingly intense in the region. The highest incidence rates are observed among those aged 15–45, but in recent weeks, the increase has been just as strong in older age groups, particularly among those aged 75 and older. Among those tested, 72% are asymptomatic, and among confirmed cases, 39% report no symptoms.

Incidence rates continue to rise in all departments, with the exception of Haute-Savoie. The Rhône department has the highest rate in the region: 134 per 100,000 (+43%), and several departments have crossed the 50 per 100,000 threshold: Ain, Isère, Loire, and Puy-de-Dôme.

Most indicators are rising sharply: SOS Médecins calls and emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19, new hospitalizations, and intensive care admissions—even though current numbers remain well below the levels reached in the spring.

With 40 new reports, the number of clusters is rising again, reaching its highest level since the lifting of lockdown. While gatherings of people remain the main cause of the clusters recorded last week, the end of summer vacation marks the return of clusters in schools and universities, as well as in the workplace. The detection of clusters and cases in long-term care facilities is particularly on the rise in the ARA region.

In mainland France, the number of new confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection rose by 20% compared to the previous week, while the number of tests conducted has stabilized. Thirty-two departments had incidence rates exceeding the alert threshold. Bouches-du-Rhône, Gironde, and Paris were the areas where the virus is circulating most intensely (national data available on the Santé publique France website).

Faced with this exponential spread of the epidemic and in the absence of a treatment or vaccine, the only preventive measures remain behavioral—adherence to protective measures, particularly mask-wearing, physical distancing, and hygiene (handwashing).

The “Test-Trace-Isolate” strategy must be continued. The rise in cluster cases in long-term care facilities and the increase in incidence rates among the elderly call for maintaining extreme vigilance in these facilities, given the vulnerability of this population.