Summary

After peaking in late March during the week following the widespread lockdown of the population, the COVID-19 outbreak in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is declining. One month after the start of the easing of lockdown measures, the decline in the COVID-19 outbreak continues.

In week 23, most epidemiological indicators continued to decline in urban areas, hospitals, and medical-social and healthcare facilities. Indicators from the SI-DEP (screening information system) point to a decrease in the number of people testing positive in week 23. Hospital indicators continue to show a clear downward trend, with two departments reporting no new hospitalizations for COVID-19 in week 23. The effective reproduction number R, calculated based on emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19, is estimated at 0.59 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. As in nearly all regions in France, it is below 1, which means that an infected person infects fewer than one other person and that, consequently, the epidemic is in decline. Finally, all-cause mortality has not shown a significant excess since week 18.

To identify and isolate potentially infected individuals and their contacts in order to stop transmission chains as early as possible, a major system involving private practitioners, healthcare facilities, the Health Insurance Fund, and hospital and private medical laboratories is coordinated by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) with support from the regional unit of Santé publique France. In particular, this initiative enables the detection and investigation of clusters. As of June 10, 11 clusters are being monitored in nine departments across the region. This cluster surveillance contributes to the analysis of the epidemiological situation at a granular territorial level. These clusters indicate low-level circulation of the virus. In the context of the gradual lifting of lockdown measures, adherence to hygiene and social distancing measures therefore remains essential to prevent any resurgence of the epidemic.