First wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Nouvelle-Aquitaine: a descriptive analysis of control measures, care pathways, and adherence to preventive measures, March–April 2020

Background - The Score 19 survey, conducted in Nouvelle-Aquitaine among households affected by COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic, was primarily designed to describe the control measures implemented by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), access to care, and compliance with preventive measures. Method - A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 1 and April 30, 2020, and all members of their households, regardless of whether they had symptoms. These individuals were interviewed from mid-June to mid-July 2020. Results - With a participation rate of approximately 40%, 940 households and 2,536 individuals were included. Among them, 68.3% were estimated to have had COVID-19, of whom 63.5% were biologically confirmed cases. Women and healthcare workers were more frequently biologically confirmed (72.3% and 94.1%, respectively). Biological confirmation increased with age and was more common in the presence of at least one risk factor and during hospitalization. Among the households included, 79.0% were contacted by the ARS, and of these, 92.3% received recommendations and 58.9% received masks at home. Among the cases, 80.9% contacted a healthcare professional, including 83.3% who contacted their primary care physician, 20.2% who went to the emergency room, and 31.3% who called the emergency medical services (Samu). More than half reportedly had a telemedicine consultation with their general practitioner, primarily those aged 15–44. For confirmed cases, preventive measures were generally well adhered to during their infection, except for wearing a mask at home (38.9%) and isolating in a separate room (50.6%). For all individuals included in the study, after the lockdown, the main preventive measures appeared to be well adopted (over 80.0%), unlike the limitation of social interactions (54.0%). Wearing a mask in public, social distancing, or greeting others from a distance were less commonly followed by children. Women were more likely to comply with wearing masks in public and limiting social interactions. There were no differences based on educational level or healthcare worker status. Conclusion - During the first wave of the epidemic, the ARS was heavily involved in contact tracing. Private and emergency medical practices were heavily strained, highlighting the importance of telemedicine and appropriate call management. Preventive measures were generally well-adhered to; however, some were more difficult to implement, and others were less followed by certain population groups. Prevention messages could be refined to better target the relevant populations.

Author(s): Castor Christine, Gault Gaëlle, Larrieu Sophie, Evain Sullivan, Siguier Anna, Ramel Vivianne, Vivier Darigol Martine, Herteau Alice, Trouvain Karine, Filleul Laurent

Publishing year: 2022

Pages: 2-9

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2022, n° 1, p. 2-9

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey