COVID-19 Epidemiological Update for October 15: Indicators on the Rise, Viral Circulation Increasing

CP_pe_covid_151020.pdf

Published on 16 October 2020

Press Contacts

Santé publique France
presse@santepubliquefrance.fr

Stéphanie Champion: 01 41 79 67 48
Marie Delibéros: 01 41 79 69 61
Camille Le Hyaric: 01 41 79 68 64

Published weekly, the epidemiological update on COVID-19 surveillance provides a detailed analysis of the various indicators established by Santé publique France and its network of partners to track the progression of the epidemic and guide public policy decisions. The epidemiological update of October 15 shows that the epidemic continues to spread. All monitoring indicators are on the rise, reflecting increased viral circulation at high levels in mainland France. The highest level of vigilance must be maintained for at-risk individuals, particularly the elderly, given the vulnerability of this population, which accounts for the highest number of deaths due to SARS-CoV-2.

All epidemic monitoring indicators are on the rise

With 121,078 new confirmed cases from October 5 to 11 (+53% compared to week 40), the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is intensifying. All indicators are on the rise: the positivity rate among all tested individuals is increasing (12.2% in week 41 versus 9.1% in week 40, +3.1 percentage points), particularly among symptomatic patients (22.2% in week 41 versus 16.6% in week 40, +5.6 percentage points).

Among people aged 65 to 74, the number of cases has more than tripled in 6 weeks (incidence increased by a factor of 3.4 since week 36). In this age group, in week 41, the incidence was 103 per 100,000 inhabitants. Among people aged 75 and older, the weekly number of cases has increased 3.7-fold over 6 weeks. In this age group, the incidence in week 41 was 115 per 100,000 inhabitants. This increase in the number of cases among older adults is very concerning because these individuals are at the highest risk of COVID-19 complications.

The number of new cases in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is rising, with 3,501 cases recorded in week 41. Hospitalizations, new admissions to intensive care, and deaths in hospitals, residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs), and LTCFs are also increasing by +19%, +1.9%, and +12%, respectively.

Seventy-eight departments are classified as having a high vulnerability level and 17 as having a moderate vulnerability level.
All of these results reflect the high level and increasing spread of the virus in mainland France.

Preventive measures applied by everyone for the benefit of all.

In the absence of a curative treatment or vaccine, and with several major cities under a health-related curfew, it is crucial that everyone adopt preventive measures.

These include hygiene measures, physical distancing, reducing contact (no hugging, no handshakes, avoiding gatherings), and proper mask-wearing.

Limiting gatherings and ventilating enclosed spaces round out these measures, which must be followed by everyone. Protecting yourself also means protecting others.

To slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is important to maintain the “Test-Alert-Protect” strategy: anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, even mild ones, must self-isolate, wear a mask, limit contact to the absolute minimum, and get tested as soon as possible.