Key Points

In Week 05 (February 1–7, 2021), SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes declined slightly, while circulation of more transmissible variants—which remain in the minority—increased. Morbidity and mortality indicators are stabilizing or declining. However, the level of SARS-CoV-2 circulation and its health impact remain high, calling for the utmost vigilance, as the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region remains among the hardest-hit after Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Île-de-France, and Hauts-de-France.

At the regional level, while the testing rate rose slightly (+5%), the number of newly infected individuals fell by another 4% in week 05, and the positivity rate dropped by 0.7 percentage points. The regional incidence rate (211/100,000) and the positivity rate (7.1%) are approaching the national averages. The decline in the incidence rate affects all age groups and is most pronounced among those under 10 years of age. According to the Flash#2 survey of January 27, preliminary results suggest the presence of variants in 14% of COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the region, a significant increase compared to early January.

The number of cases reported in ESMS has increased moderately at the regional level after two weeks of decline. SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 cases are down very slightly (-2%).

In hospitals, emergency room visits (-4%) and the number of new hospitalizations have decreased slightly (-2%), while intensive care admissions have fallen by 17%. The regional weekly hospitalization rate remains at a very high level and is still slightly higher than the national rate, while the weekly rate of intensive care admissions is now very close to the national average. The number of patients who died in the hospital decreased by 28% in week 05.

A significant excess mortality from all causes at a moderate level is still observed in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in week 03 (estimated at +24%) and in week 04.

At the departmental level, incidence and positivity rates are declining in all departments except Rhône, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie, where they are changing marginally and are accompanied by an increase in the testing rate and a decrease in the positivity rate. Viral circulation indicators remain highest in Ardèche, Ain, and Drôme. Hospitalization rates are declining in all departments except Ardèche, Drôme, Isère, and Haute-Loire. The highest rates are observed in Ardèche, Allier, Isère, and Haute-Loire.

As of February 9, 233,903 people had been vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least one dose) since the start of the vaccination campaign in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (representing 2.9% of the region’s total population), including 49,059 residents in nursing homes or long-term care facilities (58% of them), 13,012 staff members at these facilities (21% of them), and finally, overall, 19% of those aged 75 and older.