Key Points

In Week 07 (February 15–21, 2021), community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes remained stable (+1%) at a persistently high level, with a regional incidence rate of 186 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Testing rates are down for the second consecutive week, particularly among those under 20, which aligns with school holidays. Incidence rates are rising in four departments: Allier, Drôme, Puy-de-Dôme, and Rhône. The highest incidence rates, exceeding 200 per 100,000, are observed in Drôme and Rhône. The age group most affected by an increase in incidence is those aged 65–75 (+8%); among those over 75, incidence is declining (-5%) for the fifth consecutive week.

The proportion of suspected variants of interest among positive cases that underwent screening continues to rise in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, reaching 42% for the 20I/501Y.V1 variant and 3% for the 20H/501Y.V2 or 20J/501Y.V3 variants; these proportions remain lower than the national averages.

The highest proportions are observed in Haute-Savoie and the Rhône for suspected cases of the 20I/501Y.V1 variant, and in Savoie and the Cantal for suspected cases of the 20H/501Y.V2 or 20J/501Y.V3 variants. Consultations for suspected COVID-19 are declining, both in private practice (-13% for SOS Médecins visits) and in hospitals (-11% for emergency room visits).

As for hospitalizations, the number of new hospitalizations has fallen by 9%, but the number of new admissions to intensive care has risen by 10%. Although slightly down, the impact on hospitals remains high, with 3,365 people hospitalized, including 406 in intensive care, as of February 24. The trend in hospital indicators varies across the region’s departments. The highest hospitalization rates are observed in Allier, Drôme, Loire, and Rhône; the highest intensive care admission rates are observed in Ardèche, Isère, and Rhône.

In social and medical-social care facilities, there has been a decrease in the number of cases, confirmed cases, and deaths within facilities for the second consecutive week.

The number of hospital deaths linked to COVID-19 is down by 12%. A significant excess mortality from all causes at a moderate level is still observed in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in weeks 04 (+24%) and 05 (+12%); in week 06, the excess is not significant at this stage.

As of February 23, 312,538 people had been vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least one dose) since the start of the vaccination campaign in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, representing 3.9% of the region’s total population; this proportion reaches 25% among those aged 75 and older (+2 percentage points). In nursing homes, 55,611 residents have been vaccinated (70%, +5 percentage points) and 17,904 staff members (29%, +4 percentage points).

The initial effects of vaccination are becoming apparent, with a decrease in the number of reported cases among those aged 75 and older and nursing home residents, while first-dose vaccination coverage has reached 70% in the region for the latter group. More transmissible variants are on the rise, and a worsening of the epidemiological situation in the coming weeks remains a scenario to consider.