Key Points

The COVID-19 outbreak gained slightly more ground in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes during week 38 (September 14–20, 2020). The increase in viral circulation, particularly among older adults, is putting greater pressure on the healthcare system, both in community settings and in hospitals.
In week 38, 8,934 new cases were confirmed (+21% compared to week 37), while the number of people tested rose by only 7.3%. The positivity rate (7.15%) and the incidence rate (111/100,000) continue to rise, placing the region slightly above the average for mainland France. The rise in virological indicators nevertheless appears to be proceeding at a slightly slower pace than that observed in previous weeks; however, this must be viewed in light of the growing saturation of diagnostic capacity, which is leading to longer delays in data consolidation.

The circulation of the virus at the regional level varies widely across different areas. The highest incidence rates are observed in the Rhône (> 200/100,000), the Loire, and Isère (> 100/100,000), while certain departments (Allier, Ardèche, Cantal, and Haute-Savoie) remain below the incidence threshold of 50 per 100,000. Within the same department, incidence rates vary significantly between urban and rural areas, as evidenced by the incidence rates across the region’s four metropolitan areas, which led to the tightening of control measures in Lyon, Saint-Étienne, and Grenoble. The testing prioritization strategy is beginning to yield results. Indeed, the proportion of symptomatic individuals is increasing among those tested and confirmed cases.

The intensified spread of the virus that began this summer among young adults and more recently among the elderly is leading to an increase in COVID-19-related activity in hospitals, evident across all indicators. While these figures have not reached the levels seen during the first wave of the epidemic, they are following a concerning trend: new hospitalizations (+35%), ICU admissions (+77%), and deaths (+70%). Case reports and clusters in long-term care facilities are also on the rise.

In response to the growing number of clusters in the region, surveillance protocols were updated as of September 17 to ensure enhanced monitoring of high-risk clusters (transmission potential, severity criteria). This change partly explains the decrease in the number of reported clusters in week 38.

Finally, in the absence of a vaccine, the adoption of preventive measures and the “Test-Trace-Isolate” strategy remain essential in the fight against the virus. Everyone must strictly adhere to preventive measures, including mask-wearing, physical distancing, and hygiene (handwashing), especially younger people, who contribute to the spread of the virus to older adults—those most at risk of complications or severe forms of COVID-19.