Key Points

• In Week 04 (January 25–31, 2021), SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes declined slightly but remained at a high level, amid an increase in the prevalence of more transmissible variants.

• While the testing rate increased (+10%), the number of newly infected people decreased by 3.7% and the positivity rate fell by 1.1 percentage points. Virological indicators in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes—incidence rate (220/100,000) and positivity rate (7.8%)—remain above the national average (214/100,000; 6.7%).

• The decline or stability in incidence rates applies to all departments in the region with the exception of Cantal (+25%) and Ain (+9%). Drôme, Ardèche, and Ain have the highest incidence and positivity rates. In contrast, Savoie has the lowest incidence rate in the region.

• The number of new reports, cases, and deaths in community healthcare settings continues to decline at the regional level. However, at the departmental level, the number of confirmed cases has increased in Ain, Allier, and Rhône.

• In hospitals, the number of new hospitalizations has decreased slightly (-4%), while intensive care admissions remain stable. The regional weekly hospitalization rate (18.3/100,000) remains at a very high level and is higher than the national rate (16.6/100,000). Allier, Ardèche, Drôme, and Cantal had the highest hospitalization rates in the region during week 04.

• A significant excess mortality of moderate magnitude is still observed in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes; it is estimated (unconsolidated data) at a 20% excess in deaths during week 3. The number of patients who died in the hospital increased by 5% in week 4, and 67% of those who died were 80 years of age or older.

• Against this backdrop of high SARS-CoV-2 circulation and the emergence of variants with increased transmissibility (an estimated 13.5% of cases involving the N501Y mutation in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, according to preliminary results from the second Flash survey conducted on January 27), the adoption of preventive measures and contact restrictions for everyone must be reinforced to combat the epidemic. In the event of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, it remains crucial that each person self-isolate immediately and undergo a diagnostic test as soon as possible. The digital tool (TousAntiCovid) is useful for strengthening contact tracing and rapid isolation measures.

• The vaccination campaign began in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on December 28, 2020. As of February 2, 181,042 people had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since the start of the campaign, representing 2.3% of the region’s total population, 14.5% of those aged 75 and older, and 42% of residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.