Key Points

Continued very high levels of viral circulation in the region, along with an increase in the number of severe cases of COVID-19 (conventional hospitalizations and intensive care/ICU admissions) and deaths

During week 44 and at the regional level, syndromic surveillance indicators reflecting mild cases of the disease were on the rise compared to the previous week in hospital settings (emergency department visits) and generally stable in private practice (procedures performed by SOS Médecins associations and outpatient consultations with doctors in the Sentinelles network). The number of new hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units reflecting severe cases was also on the rise in week 44 (up 27% and 12% in admissions, respectively, compared to the previous week), as was mortality (a 32% increase in hospital deaths). This trend was observed in most departments, particularly in the Gard department for admissions to intensive care units. Due to unconsolidated virological data, the interpretation of the data can only be partial at this stage. The available indicators nevertheless point to continued viral spread across the region, particularly in various departments. At present, it is still too early to assess the effect of the various collective measures taken (curfew, lockdown), and a few weeks’ perspective will be needed to observe their impact.