Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes peaked in the week following the implementation of widespread lockdown measures. Since then, the outbreak has been declining, and this downward trend continued during the first two weeks of the easing of lockdown restrictions. Epidemic pressure indicators continued to decline in hospitals during week 21 and stabilized at a low level for outpatient care. The initial indicators from the SI-DEP system (screening information system) also point to a decline in positivity rates in week 21. Finally, all-cause mortality has not shown a significant excess since week 19.

In the current phase of reopening, the key challenge to prevent a resurgence of the epidemic is to identify and isolate potentially infected individuals and their contacts to break transmission chains as early as possible. To this end, a major contact tracing system has been deployed, involving general practitioners and healthcare facilities, the Health Insurance Fund, and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) at various levels; the ARS—with support from the regional unit of Santé publique France—coordinates the entire system. At the same time, a major testing and analysis system is being deployed in the region under the auspices of the ARA Regional Health Agency (ARS). Nearly 300 testing sites are operational, and 41 medical laboratories are capable of conducting analyses, bringing the estimated regional testing capacity (subject to availability of necessary supplies) to approximately 15,500 tests per day. For more information

With the aim of controlling transmission chains, identified clusters are being investigated. An initial assessment of the clusters investigated since May 11 is presented in this Epidemiological Update. This surveillance of clusters contributes to the analysis of the epidemiological situation at a granular territorial level. It provides a better understanding of the upward trend in certain indicators in departments such as Allier, where two active clusters have been identified. These clusters indicate the persistence of low-level viral circulation, particularly in areas that have not been the hardest hit, and which could resurge if the recommended hygiene and social distancing measures are not strictly observed by the public. They also demonstrate the effectiveness of the surveillance and contact tracing system in its ability to identify these situations in order to better control them.