Key Points

Following a gradual increase in COVID-19 cases in early February, the Île-de-France region experienced rapid community spread in March, with the epidemic peaking in week 13, from March 23 to 29. The impact of the epidemic was significant in the Île-de-France region. Residents of the region accounted for approximately 40% of Covid-19 deaths recorded in France since March 1, whether in hospitals or nursing homes.
The lockdown was followed by a sharp decline in Covid-19-related healthcare utilization, first observed in outpatient settings during week 14, from March 30 to April 5, and then in hospitals starting April 7, which continued through week 24, from June 8 to 14—five weeks after the lockdown was lifted. This downward trend reversed in week 26. Between weeks 27 and 31, most regional epidemiological indicators showed a trend toward increased viral circulation in Île-de-France.

What’s new in this update for the region?

In week 32 (August 3–9), the upward trend in incidence rates and the proportion of positive cases among those tested continued, with an acceleration in the rate of increase across the entire region. The faster increase in the number of positive cases compared to the number of people tested suggests increased viral circulation in Île-de-France. Incidence rates rose sharply in week 32 across all departments in the Île-de-France region and exceeded the warning threshold of 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in all departments except Seine-et-Marne. For the past three weeks, both the incidence and the positivity rate have peaked in the 20–40 age group, which is linked to a significant number of clusters reported in the workplace. This finding underscores the importance of adhering to preventive measures in the workplace. However, in week 32, we also observed a slight increase in incidence and positivity rates among the elderly, as well as a slight rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in facilities housing the elderly. This trend should alert us to the need to protect at-risk individuals by maintaining preventive measures across the entire population. Indicators of emergency care and hospitalization continue to rise, though the increase remains relatively modest.

The return of residents of the Île-de-France region currently on vacation and the resumption of activities as the start of the school year approaches, along with the significant proportion of people tested upon arrival at airports and counted in the Île-de-France region, should alert us to the need to maintain our efforts and remain vigilant. Adherence to preventive measures remains, at this time, the best way to reduce viral transmission.

This need to reduce risks is all the more evident given that the summer season is associated with significant population movement and mixing, and is often accompanied by a desire to relax, leading to reduced adherence to social distancing measures.