Summary

May 28, 2020. We are now in the third week following the end of lockdown. Brittany was relatively spared by the first wave of the epidemic. Today, all selected indicators continue to show no resurgence of community transmission in Brittany.
However, cases of COVID-19 are still being identified daily by laboratories in the region, confirming that the virus is still circulating in Brittany, as it is throughout the country. This ongoing detection also reflects a significant improvement in testing capacity, making it possible to test specific communities, such as nursing homes, as well as symptomatic individuals and their contacts. Nevertheless, the virus continues to circulate, albeit at a relatively low level at present, and control measures remain in effect. Adherence to hygiene and physical distancing guidelines remains necessary to minimize the emergence or persistence of transmission chains.

Identification of Isolated Cases and Clusters

The increase in testing capacity and the resulting widespread testing make it easier to identify cases and, through contact tracing, limit or even stop transmission.
As of May 28, Brittany had identified three clusters that emerged since the end of lockdown. Their widespread and targeted testing is clearly visible in Figure 2 on page 3, with a peak observed on May 17. Nevertheless, epidemiological analysis of the situation suggests that transmission began before the lockdown was lifted, circulating widely among staff at these facilities. The challenge today, in the post-lockdown phase, is to contain these transmission chains linked to contact with cases returning to their activities with the same effectiveness as was achieved during the lockdown period. Today, the situation in these various facilities remains under close surveillance, but analysis of available health data suggests that the virus has not spread within the general population.
Controlling these situations is crucial for the Brittany region, given the low proportion of people who have already contracted the virus and thus a potential for spread that is virtually at the same level as before the lockdown phase.

Active surveillance for daily assessment of the epidemiological situation

The epidemiological situation is closely monitored by all healthcare stakeholders in the region (SOS Médecins associations, public and private healthcare facilities, laboratories, etc.), as well as the multiple surveillance systems that have been established with their cooperation.
Every day, a contextual analysis of the potential vulnerability of regions, based on data from these systems, is conducted. This provides health authorities with a daily epidemiological assessment of the regional situation to track the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Regional Health Agency in Brittany issues daily updates to prevent, inform, and support healthcare providers and the public (ARS Brittany website). This Weekly Epidemiological Report compiles all available indicators for monitoring the COVID-19 epidemic in Brittany.