Summary

Given that surveillance indicators have remained stable for several weeks in Occitanie, this epidemiological update focuses on virological surveillance data and reports of clusters (or transmission hotspots), particularly those in long-term care facilities.
These indicators are detailed in the educational report on COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance tailored to the challenges of the national strategy for lifting lockdown measures, published on June 18 by Santé publique France.
It is based on an analysis of data through July 15, 2020, and complements the analysis conducted at the national level.

What is the current situation in Occitanie?

Unlike other French regions where viral circulation is on the rise, it remains at a low level throughout the Occitanie region. Vigilance remains essential regarding the five clusters currently under investigation. These clusters are concentrated in two departments: Gard and Haute-Garonne. In particular, in the Gard (as well as in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse for the PACA region), this involves the agricultural workforce, which includes many seasonal workers, and in the Toulouse metropolitan area, vulnerable communities.

What are the public health implications in the region?

The continued circulation of the virus in the region requires a high level of vigilance regarding hygiene, protective measures, and physical distancing to minimize the emergence or persistence of transmission chains.
Furthermore, it is important that symptomatic individuals or contacts of a confirmed case be encouraged to get tested at the slightest suspicion and without delay in order to isolate infected individuals as soon as possible, and to identify and isolate contacts of these cases through the testing, tracing, and isolation system established by healthcare professionals, the National Health Insurance, and the Regional Health Agencies (ARS).
In this context, the early detection of clusters is a major challenge in controlling the spread of the virus, as their rapid management makes it possible to break transmission chains between individuals as soon as possible and thus prevent the onset of a new wave of the epidemic.
Any COVID-19 cluster (defined as the occurrence of at least 3 confirmed or probable cases within a 7-day period, belonging to the same community or having participated in the same gathering of people, whether they know each other or not) must be reported immediately to the focal point of the Occitanie Regional Health Agency: ars31-alerte@ars.sante.fr.

To guide cluster investigations, a methodological guide has been published on the Santé publique France website.