Key Points

After a decline in the number of new infections, the positivity rate, and the incidence rate in the region during the first four weeks of the second lockdown, the number of positive cases is once again rising sharply (10,185 new positive cases in week 50 of 2020 compared to 7,984 in week 49 of 2020, representing a 28% increase). The number of people tested is also rising sharply (131,096 people in week 50 of 2020 compared to 109,104 in week 49 of 2020). The incidence rate is also rising sharply (184.8 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 144.9 in week 49 of 2020). It is now significantly higher than the national incidence rate (119 new cases per 100,000
inhabitants). The regional positivity rate has also been rising since week 48 of 2020 and now stands at 7.8% (compared to 7.3% in week 49 of 2020).

The trend of the epidemic in the region during week 50 of 2020 is concerning, with viral circulation well above the threshold for active virus circulation—set at 50 new cases per 100,000—across all age groups. Just over half (56%) of new cases tested in week 50 of 2020 are under 50 years old, and 28% are between 20 and 39 years old.

The pressure on the healthcare system, already high, increased in week 50 of 2020, for the first time since the start of the second lockdown. The number of consultations for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s five SOS Médecins associations rose slightly (+5%). The number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s emergency facilities also increased slightly; with the proportion of activity in emergency departments remaining stable since week 48 of 2020. However, the trend varies by department, and an increase in COVID-19 activity is observed in Marne, Haute-Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, and Haut-Rhin. The numbers of new hospitalizations (n=1,104), new admissions to intensive care units for Covid-19 (n=131), and Covid-19-related deaths in healthcare facilities are increasing compared to the previous week (up 7%, 32%, and 8%, respectively). In social and medical-social care facilities, 8,805 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 have been reported among residents and 4,735 among staff since September 1. Nursing homes for the elderly are the hardest hit by the pandemic, accounting for 75% (6,623) of these cases among residents and 66% (3,128) among staff. As of December 16, 765 clusters or outbreaks have been identified in the region since November 1, of which 535 are currently under investigation or under control.

After a decline in the number of new infections during the first weeks of lockdown, the level of viral circulation remains very high and is now rising again, regardless of the region’s territories and age groups.