Key Points

In Week 16 (April 19–25), at the regional level, epidemiological indicators are trending downward while remaining at a high level.

Viral circulation continued its slow decline for the second consecutive week, against a backdrop of reduced testing activity (-15%). Thus, while the regional incidence rate remains high (297 per 100,000), it is down 12% compared to the incidence rate in Week 15 (337 per 100,000). All age groups are affected, with the largest decrease observed among those aged 65 and older (-15%, incidence rate of 180/100,000). The age group most affected remains those aged 15–44 (49% of all confirmed cases and an incidence rate of 405/100,000, the highest). The variant of interest 20I/501Y.V1 is circulating predominantly in the region, with its estimated proportion of all cases stabilizing at 90%. The proportion of variants of interest 20H/501Y.V2 or 20J/501Y.V3 also remains stable at 1.9%. Incidence rates are trending downward in all departments except Haute-Loire (+16%), which, along with the Loire, has the highest incidence and positivity rates.

In the region, 1,457 new patients were hospitalized for COVID-19 in week 16, including 369 in critical care units. Following the initial downward trend the previous week, the decline is confirmed with a 16% decrease in new hospitalizations and an 8% decrease in new admissions to critical care units compared to week 15. As of April 28, 3,547 people were hospitalized for COVID-19, including 666 in critical care units, representing decreases of 8% and 3%, respectively. The highest hospitalization rates and critical care admission rates are observed in the Loire and Rhône departments.

Community surveillance shows a significant 26% decrease in SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Emergency department visits are also down (-10%) at the regional level. In long-term care facilities (ESMS), indicators remain at a low level; the number of COVID-19 reports is decreasing, as are the number of new confirmed cases and deaths.

In week 16, hospital mortality from COVID-19 cases increased by 4% (262 deaths). In week 15 (April 12–18), for the third consecutive week, a significant excess of all-cause mortality at a moderate level (all ages and for those aged 65 and older) was observed in our region.

As of April 27, the proportion of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes was 21.4% (1 dose) and 8.9% (full vaccination series), comparable to vaccination coverage in France.

While indicators are trending downward in week 16, the epidemic remains at a high level, as do pressures on hospitals. Therefore, adherence to individual prevention measures, compliance with collective containment measures, and accelerating vaccination efforts are major challenges in countering the current epidemic dynamics.