Key Points

In Week 43 of 2020 (October 19–25), testing activity, after a sharp decline in Weeks 39 and 40, increased significantly, with 179,735 RT-PCR tests performed (compared to 134,309 in Week 42 of 2020). The number of new biologically confirmed cases rose sharply, doubling compared to the previous week, with 17,682 cases (compared to 8,776 the previous week). This number is nearly 30 times higher than at the start of the reopening (616 new infections in week 21 of 2020). The incidence rate has doubled compared to week 42 of 2020 and now stands at 320 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 159 the previous week). It remains, however, lower than the national incidence rate, which stands at 397 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 255 in week 42 of 2020). The regional positivity rate has also risen to 13.6%, compared to 8.9% in week 42 of 2020.

The increase in viral circulation now affects all age groups. Just under two-thirds (63%) of new cases tested in week 43 of 2020 are under 50 years old, and 37% are between 20 and 39 years old (compared to 78% and 46%, respectively, in early September). More than one-third (37%) report being asymptomatic and 56% symptomatic (information is not available for 8% of new cases), whereas symptomatic cases accounted for 38% in early September.

In week 43 of 2020, viral circulation is intensifying very sharply across the entire region, with incidence rates in some departments doubling compared to the previous week. The incidence rate now exceeds the maximum alert threshold in 8 of the region’s 10 departments.

Pressure on the healthcare system continues to intensify. The number of consultations for suspected Covid-19 at the region’s five SOS Médecins associations is rising sharply (+68%). The same is true for the number of emergency room visits for suspected Covid-19 at the region’s emergency facilities (+60%). With already 356 emergency room visits in the first three days, Covid-19 activity in the region’s emergency facilities for week 44 of 2020 is expected to far exceed that of week 43.

As of October 22, 484 clusters or outbreaks have been identified in the region since May 11, of which 280 (+79 compared to the previous week) are currently under investigation.