Summary

In Week 29 (July 13–19, 2020), the main COVID-19 surveillance indicators in the ARA region were stable or showed moderate increases, while remaining below the alert thresholds.
Nearly 300 new cases were confirmed by RT-PCR in the region during Week 29 (284 in Week 28). Virological surveillance indicators are stable compared to the previous week. At the departmental level, the highest rates are observed in Drôme. Rates remain high but are slightly declining in the Rhône. These departmental situations are linked to the clusters currently being monitored in our region. Six new clusters were reported in Week 29 (as in Week 28). As of July 22, 20 SARS-CoV-2 infection clusters are being monitored. The effective R value, representing the average number of people infected (secondary cases) by a contagious person (index case) calculated based on virological data (SI-DEP), is significantly greater than 1 in the ARA region, as it is at the national level and in 7 other metropolitan regions. Visits to emergency rooms for suspected COVID-19 continue to rise slowly, while the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 continues to decline slowly.
While the situation appears relatively stable in Week 29 in the ARA region, indicators at the departmental level are approaching warning thresholds, and others are on the rise. Thus, the situation of moderate progression still appears manageable through the strict application of preventive measures by each of us.
Furthermore, in the context of summer vacations, which can increase the risk of transmission—particularly during events and gatherings with family, friends, or at parties—prevention messages must be reiterated. The clusters recently observed in certain gatherings or during ceremonies call for caution. In the absence of a treatment or vaccine, the only preventive measures remain behavioral (hygiene, social distancing, wearing a mask, etc.). It is important to emphasize everyone’s individual responsibility and to collectively adopt an approach focused on reducing risks and protecting the most vulnerable, particularly during gatherings.