Key Points

In Week 43 (October 19–25, 2020), the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic is accelerating, with a now significant health impact, particularly among the elderly. All indicators are rising in nearly all departments, reflecting a widespread spread of the epidemic. The number of SOS Médecins calls, hospitalizations, and cases reported in ESMS facilities exceeds those observed at the peak of the first wave of the epidemic in spring 2020.

With 56,400 new confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the incidence rate is approximately 700 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 43, an increase of 70%, while the testing rate has risen by another 22%. The positivity rate rose more sharply in week 43, exceeding 26% (+7 percentage points compared to week 42). Among those aged 65 and older, the increase in the incidence rate is even steeper, reflecting the continued spread of the epidemic among the elderly. All departments and metropolitan areas in the region are affected. The highest incidence rates are still recorded in the Loire and Rhône departments, followed by Haute-Loire, Ain, and Isère. In three departments (Ain, Loire, and Savoie), the incidence rate among those aged 65 and older exceeds that of the general population.

Calls to SOS Médecins and visits to emergency rooms continue to rise sharply. The number of reports from long-term care facilities (ESMS), including nursing homes (Ehpad), is up by 70%, and the number of confirmed cases has more than doubled among residents and staff. The number of new high-risk clusters has also risen sharply (+40%), with the majority of clusters occurring in nursing homes and in school and university settings. The Rhône, Loire, Ain, and Isère departments report the highest number of cases and clusters.

With 2,637 new hospitalizations (+79%), including 315 in intensive care (+52%) and 205 in-hospital deaths (+58%) in week 43, the health impact is significant and is placing heavy strain on our hospital system. The number of hospitalized patients as of October 25 and the number of new hospitalizations across all departments in week 43 exceed the peak values of the first wave of the epidemic. However, the number of patients admitted to intensive care and the number of new in-hospital deaths in week 43 are significantly lower. With the exception of Cantal, all departments are affected by this rise in hospitalizations. The departments with the highest hospitalization rates per 100,000 inhabitants in week 43 are Isère, Loire, Haute-Loire, and Rhône.

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region remains the hardest hit by the second wave of the epidemic, which has spread widely across its territory. Ain, Isère, Loire, Haute-Loire, and Rhône are among the six departments with the highest viral circulation. The metropolitan areas of Saint-Étienne, Lyon, and Grenoble are among the hardest hit. Our regional hospital indicators are the highest in France. Finally, a significant excess of all-cause mortality was observed in week 42 at the regional level, as well as in Isère and the Loire, and among those aged 65 and older in the Rhône.