Summary

• In Normandy, following an increase in incidence and positivity rate in week 26, a decrease in incidence to nearly 3 per 100,000 inhabitants was observed in week 28 (vs. 4 per 100,000 inhabitants in week 26). The positivity rate is also decreasing (0.5% in week 28 vs. 0.7% in week 26) as a result of increased testing capacity following the transition of the Rouen metropolitan area to community transmission.

• To break the chain of COVID-19 transmission, a strategy for identifying cases, testing their contacts, and isolating sick individuals and at-risk contacts has been implemented throughout Normandy since the start of the epidemic. The goal is to detect the emergence of new cases very early on, particularly clusters of new cases, to limit viral circulation in the region.

• In this context, since July 3, a free, prescription-free mass testing campaign has been launched in the Normandy departments where regular viral circulation has been identified (Calvados, Seine-Maritime, Orne, Eure).

• Since Week 26, an increase in SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 cases has been observed, particularly among children. This could be linked to the return to group settings and schools, which has the effect of reigniting viral transmission leading to nonspecific ENT symptoms (consequently, an increase in PCR test orders).

• Since Week 27, the Sentinelle surveillance of severe COVID-19 cases admitted to intensive care has been suspended. Indeed, no new admissions have been reported in Normandy since Week 22.