Key Points

• In week 19 of 2021, the number of new cases decreased (6,336 new cases compared to 7,584 new cases in week 18 of 2021). This decrease occurred even though the number of people tested remained largely unchanged (197,521 compared to 212,461 people in week 18 of 2021).

• The incidence rate has fallen for the fifth consecutive week (115 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 138 in week 18-21 and 175 in week 17-21) and remains below the national incidence rate (131 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The positivity rate is also decreasing (3.2% compared to 3.6% in week 18–21 and 5.1% in week 17–21).

• Despite this encouraging decline in viral circulation—albeit much slower than during the second lockdown—the epidemic situation remains precarious in weeks 19–21, with an incidence rate well above the threshold for active viral circulation (set at 50 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), even as the easing of collective containment measures is underway. Viral circulation varies by age group, ranging from 44 per 100,000 among those aged 80–89 to 165 per 100,000 among those aged 20–29. Just under three-quarters (73.3%) of new cases tested in weeks 19–21 are under 50 years of age.

• In weeks 19–2021, viral circulation decreased across all departments in the region: the Ardennes (136 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Aube (87 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Marne (122 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haute-Marne (143 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meurthe-et-Moselle (109 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meuse (89 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Moselle (86 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Bas-Rhin (144 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haut-Rhin (114 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants), and Vosges (118 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants).