Key Points

In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the trend toward a slowdown in community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in Week 46 (November 9–15, 2020) compared to Week 45, but the impact on the healthcare system remains high in most departments. As of November 18, 6,882 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized in the region, including 837 in intensive care. With 3,663 new hospitalizations, including 531 in intensive care for COVID-19 in week 46, the number of new hospitalizations has decreased for the first time during this second wave.

The rates of outpatient visits and emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 continue to decline but remain high; in week 46, they stood at 14% (vs. 20.5% in week 45) and 10.2% (vs. 12.8% in week 45), respectively, indicating that the virus is
still circulating actively. Based on laboratory data, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the positivity rate continue to decline across all departments and age groups, although there is likely an underestimation of approximately 10% due to the exclusion of antigen tests. The number of new COVID-19 clusters is increasing in Week 46, linked to transmission within facilities, particularly nursing homes, which account for 240 of the 415 active clusters in the region in Week 46. However, the number of new COVID-19 cases in nursing homes is stable compared to Week 45.

In week 45 (November 2–8), a significant excess mortality from all causes at an exceptional level was observed for the second consecutive week compared to expected mortality for all ages and among those aged 65 and older. The number of new deaths among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 increased by 7% in week 46, while the number of deaths in nursing homes has stabilized.

Some results are encouraging regarding the progression of the epidemic and the impact of contact-limiting measures. However, the hospital burden and mortality from this second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic are significant in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It is essential that individual and collective preventive measures be continued to curb the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and mitigate the impact on the healthcare system and mortality. Wearing masks and using digital tools (TousAntiCovid) are important measures. The rollout of rapid antigen tests is an additional tool for controlling the epidemic but must not replace the other measures already in place.