Key Points

In Week 06, key indicators tracking the epidemic declined, but SARS-CoV-2 circulation remained at a very high level amid a fragile situation linked to the growing spread of more transmissible variants, which are becoming predominant in mainland France.

• SARS-CoV-2 circulation remains intense, with strong and persistent pressure on the hospital system

• Decrease in the number of new cases among people aged 75 and older

• Mainland France: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Île-de-France, and Hauts-de-France are the hardest hit

• Overseas territories: incidence rate stabilizing at a very high level in Mayotte

Variants

• High proportion of suspected variants of interest becoming predominant in mainland France

• Suspected variant 20I/501Y.V1: 36%, proportion exceeding 30% in 40 departments

• Suspected variant 20H/501Y.V2 or 20J/501Y.V3: 5%, proportion exceeding 10% in 8 departments

Mortality

COVID-19-related mortality remains high.

Prevention

• Vaccination: update as of February 16, 2021

  • 2,357,946 people have received at least one dose

  • Vaccination coverage among residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities: 74.4%

• Continue to follow preventive measures and limit contact

• If symptoms develop, immediate isolation is required, and a test must be performed as soon as possible

• Importance of identifying and controlling transmission chains

See below for the Epidemiological Update (PDF format) and its appendix (updated as of 02/19/2021 with the analysis of variant screening test results recorded in SI-DEP).