Key Points

In week 05-2021, the number of new cases decreased slightly (11,247 new cases compared to 12,331 in week 04-2021). The number of people tested increased (189,774 people in week 05-2021 compared to 184,718 in week 04-2021). The incidence rate is declining (204.1 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 223.7 in week 04-2021). It remains close to the national incidence rate (207.1 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants). In week 05-2021, the positivity rate (5.9%) was slightly lower than in week 04-2020 (6.7%).

The epidemic situation in week 05-2021 remains a cause for concern, with viral circulation well above the threshold for active virus circulation (set at 50 new cases per 100,000). Viral circulation is high across all age groups, ranging from 102 per 100,000 among those aged 0–9 to 252 per 100,000 among those aged 30–39 and 456 per 100,000 among those aged 90 and older. More than half (63%) of new cases tested in week 05-2021 are under 50 years of age (29% are aged 20–39) and are therefore, in principle, at low risk of severe disease.

In week 05-2021, viral circulation is decreasing in 6 departments: Marne (183.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haute-Marne (167.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meurthe-et-Moselle (201.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meuse (149.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Bas-Rhin (190.0 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and Haut-Rhin (179.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), but rising in the Ardennes (181.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Aube (201.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), and Moselle (284.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). It is stable in the Vosges (169.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The situation in Moselle is concerning because the high and rising incidence rate is accompanied by significant spread of variants.

This high viral circulation continues to result in a high number of severe cases requiring hospitalization, which maintains sustained and continuous pressure on the healthcare system. The number of consultations for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s five SOS Médecins associations is stable compared to last week (2,442 consultations in week 05-2021 versus 244 in week 04-2021).