Key points

• The incidence rate peaked in the fall of 2020, reaching 230 cases per 100,000 residents on the eve of the second lockdown.

• Ille-et-Vilaine has consistently been the hardest-hit department in the region, while Finistère has remained relatively unscathed.

• The departments of Brittany remained among the least affected metropolitan departments in terms of incidence rates, regardless of the period.

• Brittany is among the regions with the lowest rates of hospitalization and admission to intensive care, regardless of the period. Hospitalization rates increased over time, with the third period showing the highest rate (149 per 100,000); in total, between March 2020 and June 2021, 9,547 new hospitalizations (mostly among those over 80) and 1,406 new critical care admissions (mainly among those aged 60–79) were recorded.

• Deaths associated with advanced age and/or the presence of comorbidities.

• A peak in reported confirmed cases in long-term care facilities during the first period, but more reports overall during the second period. The number of reported deaths followed the course of the epidemic, except during the third period, which was marked by the start of vaccination in these facilities.

• Brittany did not record any significant excess mortality (all causes) during the three epidemic periods, with a 3% deficit in the first period and respective excesses of 3% and 2% in the second and third periods. Between March 2020 and May 2021, 1,952 COVID-19-related deaths occurred in healthcare facilities, 18% of which were in long-term care facilities.