Key Points

In Week 41 of 2020 (October 5–11), testing activity, which had been declining since Week 37, increased, with 97,604 RT-PCR tests performed. The number of new biologically confirmed cases is rising sharply and has doubled compared to the previous week, with 5,153 cases (compared to 2,570 the previous week). This number has increased eightfold since the lifting of lockdown measures (616 new infections in week 21 of 2020).

The regional positivity rate is also rising, at 7% (compared to 4.2% in week 40 of 2020), and the incidence rate has increased significantly, now reaching 93.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 47 in week 40 of 2020). However, the regional rate remains well below the national incidence rate, which stands at 181.2 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 118.4 in week 40 of 2020). The increase in viral circulation now affects all age groups. More than two-thirds (67.8%) of new cases reported in week 41 of 2020 are under 50 years of age, and 37% are between 20 and 39 years old (these figures were 78% and 46%, respectively, in early September). One-third (33.3%) report being asymptomatic and 58% symptomatic (information is not available for 8.9% of new cases), whereas symptomatic cases accounted for 38% in early September.

In week 41 of 2020, viral circulation has become a cause for concern throughout the region, with a sharp increase in the incidence rate affecting nine departments: the Ardennes (110 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Aube (138.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Marne (127.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haute-Marne (98.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meurthe-et-Moselle (115.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Moselle (76.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Bas-Rhin (97.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haut-Rhin (67.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), and Vosges (56.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). Only Meuse (52.3 per 100,000 inhabitants) stands out as an exception, with an incidence rate that remains stable compared to the previous week. The incidence rate exceeds the alert threshold (50 per 100,000 inhabitants) in all departments of the region.

The rate of in-person and telemedicine consultations for acute respiratory infections (ARI) reported by the Sentinelles network has risen slightly (51 per 100,000 inhabitants in week 41 of 2020 compared to 44 per 100,000 inhabitants in week 40 of 2020). The number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s healthcare facilities and the number of consultations for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s five SOS Médecins associations are up compared to the previous week.

In week 41 of 2020, the number of new hospitalizations increased slightly compared to the previous week. The number of new admissions to intensive care units remained stable compared to week 40 of 2020. The incidence rate is rising sharply in the region, while the profile of new cases (previously mostly young people without severe clinical symptoms) is changing, meaning that the pressure on the healthcare system, which has been modest until now, is intensifying.

As of October 14, 315 clusters or clusters of cases have been identified in the region since May 11, of which 165 (+34 compared to the previous week) are currently under investigation. No uncontrolled emergence of new cases outside the community and linked to these clusters has been reported.

All indicators are now on the rise, signaling an acceleration in the spread of the virus. It remains more vital than ever to follow preventive measures, particularly maintaining a distance of at least one meter between people and avoiding handshakes and hugs, including among young adults and in private settings.