Summary

What’s new in this Update for the region?

In recent weeks, as the region has moved through the various phases of reopening, the outbreak has remained under control, with the reproduction number staying below 1 at the regional level. This means that, on average, an infected person currently infects fewer than one other person. This metric is important to monitor in any epidemic because it provides insight into the level of control over the transmission of a contagious infectious agent.

All regional indicators (in urban areas as well as in healthcare and social care facilities) confirm the stabilization and current control of the epidemic in Hauts-de-France.

However, we must not assume that the virus has disappeared. It continues to circulate in the population, as evidenced by the new cases that continue to emerge. Its transmission potential has simply decreased because most of us continue to follow preventive measures and practices. But we must all continue to take action to contain transmission because this virus remains just as virulent, as evidenced by the transmission clusters that continue to emerge in workplaces, families, and social circles.

In certain countries—such as Iran, Turkey, South Korea, China, Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom—we have seen resurgences of varying severity since the resumption of socio-economic activities, the easing of control measures, and a noticeable relaxation of preventive measures, forcing authorities to strictly reinforce restrictions.

We must therefore remain vigilant and continue to respect and apply individual and collective protection recommendations, especially since the summer season is often associated with a period of relaxation that will also lead to significant population movements and mixing.

What are the public health implications for the region?

This week, the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS), in collaboration with the local Primary Health Insurance Funds (CPAM) and the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA), is launching a public campaign for COVID-19 virological (PCR) and serological testing in two targeted areas of the region.

This campaign is organized on a voluntary basis, with “vouchers” being sent via email or mail to all health insurance enrollees and MSA members in the affected areas. Holders of these “vouchers,” even if they have no symptoms, will be able to take these two tests free of charge and without any upfront costs at the laboratory of their choice.

The initiative initially targets the Lys Valley and Inner Flanders regions in the North, covering a population of 300,000 insured individuals. These initial geographic areas were selected because virus transmission there has been generally higher than in the rest of the region in recent weeks. The program is intended to be expanded to other areas in the future. Details of the initiative are available on the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) website.