Key Points

Viral circulation continues to accelerate in Occitanie in departments that have been less affected so far, and severe cases are on the rise

During Week 41 and at the regional level, syndromic surveillance indicators reflecting mild cases of the disease remained stable compared to the previous week (emergency room visits, SOS Médecins reports, and outpatient consultations with doctors in the Sentinelles network). The number of standard hospitalizations and hospitalizations in intensive care units, however, continued to rise. These increases particularly affect patients aged 65 and older (up 34% and 45%, respectively, compared to last week) and the departments of Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Tarn-et-Garonne.

Indicators of viral circulation in the general population showed a sharp increase compared to the previous week in all departments of the region. Incidence and positivity rates were at high levels in most departments of the region, including Gard, Haute-Garonne, Tarn, and Tarn-et-Garonne. Some departments that had been less affected until now are now seeing an increase (Aveyron, Lozère). In week 41, the 20–30 age group remained the most affected age group, and all age groups were affected by these increases in virological indicators.

Ultimately, the rise in virological indicators in departments that had been less affected until now and the increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19 reflect, on the one hand, an increasingly widespread transmission risk in the region and, on the other hand, a growing number of severe cases. The high levels of virological indicators across the entire region indicate very active viral circulation.

As of 1:00 PM on October 14, 2020, given the evolution of the epidemic, all 13 departments in the region were classified as having a high vulnerability level (see the vulnerability map on the Santé publique France website). As of October 12, 2020, 12 departments in the region were located in an active circulation zone (excluding Lot), with Haute-Garonne and Hérault in a heightened alert zone.