Key Points

• In week 02-2021, the number of new cases declined slightly (11,158 new cases compared to 13,188 in week 01-2021, a decrease of 15%). After a slight increase in Week 01-2021, the number of people tested also decreased in Week 02-2021 (158,582 people in Week 02-2021 compared to 188,020 in Week 01-2021). The incidence rate is decreasing (202.4 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 239.3 in week 01-2021). It is now close to the national incidence rate (191.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants). In week 02-2021, the positivity rate (7.0%) remained stable compared to week 01-2020 (7%).

• Despite a slight slowdown in viral circulation, the epidemic situation in week 02-2021 remains concerning, with viral circulation well above the threshold for active virus circulation (set at 50 new cases per 100,000), across all age groups (ranging from 72 per 100,000 among those aged 0–9 to 300 per 100,000 among those aged 80–89 and 686 per 100,000 among those aged 90 and older). Just over half (58%) of new cases tested in week 02-2021 are under 50 years of age (28% are aged 20–39) and are therefore at low risk of severe disease.

• In week 02-2021, viral circulation is declining in 9 departments: the Ardennes (227.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Aube (158.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Marne (213.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haute-Marne (236.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meurthe-et-Moselle (224.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meuse (253.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Moselle (199.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haut-Rhin (169.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), and Vosges (199.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). There is a slight increase in Bas-Rhin (201.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). Despite these local declines, viral circulation remains active and high in all departments of the region and across all age groups.

• This high level of viral circulation is leading to a high number of severe cases requiring hospitalization, which is maintaining significant pressure on the healthcare system. The number of consultations for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s five SOS Médecins associations has returned to its pre-holiday level (228 consultations in week 02-2021 compared to 259 in week 01-2021).The number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 in the region’s emergency facilities remains high (n=636); the proportion of activity in emergency departments remains stable, at around 3.4%. Although the trend varies by department, activity remains high, particularly in the departments of Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Haut-Rhin, and Bas-Rhin.

• The number of new hospitalizations (n=1,170) is stable compared to the previous week (n=1,207, a decrease of -3.1%). The number of new admissions to intensive care units for COVID-19 (n=147) is up compared to the previous week (n=156, an increase of +11.5%). The number of Covid-19-related deaths in healthcare facilities (n=240) has decreased compared to the previous week (n=268, a decrease of -10.4%).

• In social and medical-social care facilities, 7,983 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported among residents and 3,710 among staff since September 1. Nursing homes for the elderly are the hardest hit by the pandemic, accounting for 83% (6,629) of these cases among residents and 79% (2,941) among staff. Since September 1, 2020, 1,049 residents of medical and non-medical care facilities for the elderly have died, including 667 (64%) nursing home residents who died within their care facilities.

• As of January 19, 298 clusters are under investigation in social or medical-social facilities, and 86 in healthcare facilities.

• Since week 44, we have observed a significant increase in mortality across all age groups.

• Several new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified in recent months. Two of them are of particular concern: VOC 202012/01, first identified in the United Kingdom, and 501Y.V2, first detected in South Africa.

• As of January 20, 2021, 141 cases of infection with these variants have been identified, including 131 cases of infection with the VOC 202012/01 variant (identified in the United Kingdom) and 10 cases of infection with the 501Y.V2 variant (identified in South Africa) confirmed in mainland France.

• In the Grand Est region, two cases of infection with the VOC 202012/01 variant and one case of infection with the 501Y.V2 variant have been confirmed.

• The second wave of the pandemic, although less intense than the first, is now characterized by its prolonged duration. Its impact is already severe in the region, with nearly 204,000 people testing positive, 16,000 people hospitalized (including 2,140 in critical care), and 3,700 deaths in healthcare facilities and social and medico-social institutions since week 36-20 (the week of the September school start). Given the current trajectory of the epidemic and the threat posed by new variants, it remains essential for everyone to adhere to preventive measures and social distancing guidelines at all times. To protect yourself and others, it is still vital to maintain a distance of at least one meter between people, ventilate rooms for at least 10 minutes twice a day, wear a mask when recommended, avoid handshakes and hugs—even with loved ones—and follow standard preventive measures.

• The vaccination campaign began on December 27, 2020. It initially targets residents of nursing homes and healthcare workers over the age of 50. This campaign has been ramped up since January 4, 2021, to increase vaccination coverage among the population. Since January 18, 2021, the vaccination campaign has been open to people over the age of 75 who live at home.