Key Points

This special epidemiological update presents the results of waves 19 (December 2020) through 21 (February 2021) of the CoviPrev survey in the Grand Est region.

A prolonged health crisis

The second lockdown, less restrictive than the first, failed to curb viral transmission in the region, resulting in strong and continuous pressure on the healthcare system since November. This ever-increasing spread of the virus in a strained hospital setting has led, in addition to regular calls for vigilance and caution, to the gradual reintroduction of more restrictive measures, such as a curfew extended to 6:00 PM starting January 2 in most departments of the region. The increasing circulation of more contagious variants since late 2020, while herd immunity from vaccination remains insufficient, has made the situation even more complicated.

A significant impact on the population’s mental health

The resurgence of the epidemic in the fall, followed by the implementation of a second lockdown, was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of depressive disorders in the Grand Est region. The persistence of a concerning epidemiological situation despite the announcement of the second lifting of lockdown measures is accompanied by a continued high prevalence of depressive disorders and, now, a significant increase in the prevalence of sleep disorders. More worryingly, in the most recent survey wave (February), all mental health indicators (anxiety, depression, sleep disorders) were trending upward.

A decline in adherence to preventive measures and social distancing

While the widespread circulation of more contagious variants is accelerating the epidemic’s spread, a significant decline in consistent adherence to social distancing measures was observed between December and February in the Grand Est region.