Key Points

In week 36 of 2020 (August 31–September 6), testing activity increased compared to the previous week, with 86,853 RT-PCR tests performed. The number of new biologically confirmed cases is rising, reaching 1,664 (+5.5% compared to the previous week). This number has nearly tripled since the lifting of lockdown measures (616 new infections were recorded in Week 21 of 2020). The regional incidence rate (30.7 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants) continued to rise in week 36 of 2020 compared to week 35 of 2020 (1,555 new cases, with an incidence of 28.2 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants). However, it remains significantly lower than the rate observed at the national level (72.9 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants). Three-quarters (77%) of new cases identified in week 36 of 2020 are under the age of 50 (45% are aged 20–39), 43% report being asymptomatic, and 45% symptomatic (information is not available for 12% of new cases).

Viral circulation is increasing in nearly all departments in the region: the incidence rate is rising in seven of them: the Ardennes (25.9 per 100,000 inhabitants), the Marne (40.4 per 100,000 inhabitants), the Haute-Marne (29 per 100,000 inhabitants), Meurthe-et-Moselle (36.1 per 100,000 inhabitants), Bas-Rhin (41.4 per 100,000 inhabitants), Haut-Rhin (27.9 per 100,000 inhabitants), and Vosges (16.4 per 100,000 inhabitants). It exceeds the alert threshold set at 10 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in nine departments. Conversely, incidence rates are declining in Aube (19 per 100,000 inhabitants), Meuse (9.9 per 100,000 inhabitants), and Moselle (25.5 per 100,000 inhabitants). To halt the deterioration of the health situation observed since mid-July, it is imperative to adhere to preventive measures and social distancing in all aspects of daily life (with family, at work, during leisure activities, or when socializing with friends). The rate of in-person and telemedicine consultations for acute respiratory infections (ARI) reported by the Sentinelles network is generally stable (105 per 100,000 inhabitants in
week 36 of 2020 compared to 110 per 100,000 inhabitants in week 35 of 2020), as is the number of emergency department visits for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s healthcare facilities. The number of consultations for suspected COVID-19 at the region’s five SOS Médecins associations is up compared to the previous week.

The number of new hospitalizations and the number of new admissions to intensive care units are generally stable compared to week 35 of 2020. While the current profile of new cases (tending to be younger and without major clinical symptoms) explains the limited impact of the increase in their numbers on the healthcare system, they nonetheless contribute to the spread of the virus. Furthermore, although it remains very modest for the time being, a trend toward increased COVID-19 activity in the healthcare system (SOS Médecins associations, emergency facilities, intensive care units, and general wards) has been observed since week 31 of 2020 (July 27–August 2).

As of September 9, 168 clusters or episodes of grouped cases have been identified in the region since May 11 (25 more than the previous week), 73 of which are currently under investigation. No uncontrolled community spread (the emergence of new cases outside the cluster and linked to it) has been reported.