Abstract

Low-level circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

With an average of 50 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 per week, low viral circulation in the region continues. The regional incidence rate was 0.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 26 of 2020, with a relatively low positivity rate (0.4%) despite a significant number of tests performed (over 12,500). These indicators, combined with data from other COVID-19 surveillance systems (SOS Médecins associations, hospital emergency departments, hospitalized and intensive care patients, and reports of COVID-19 patients in medical and social care facilities), confirm the virus’s currently low impact in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The threat of clusters

No new clusters have been identified in the region over the past two weeks. While this information is reassuring, vigilance is still required. Indeed, some regions still have identified transmission chains with numerous cases scattered across multiple departments, and we are not immune to a similar situation occurring. It is therefore important to continue significant testing efforts throughout the entire Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

A risk of imported cases linked to the situation in French Guiana

COVID-19 surveillance in French Guiana has revealed a doubling of the number of new cases since June 1 and a rapid tripling of the positivity rate, which has reached 15%. This trend is concentrated in the Cayenne metropolitan area (400 weekly cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and Kourou, and to a lesser extent in St. Laurent du Maroni (100 weekly cases per 100,000 inhabitants). Currently, between 150 and 250 new cases are detected each day in French Guiana. This alarming epidemiological situation also calls for a targeted testing policy to prevent the establishment of transmission chains originating from imported cases.

An international situation to monitor closely

Over the past week, two symbolic milestones reflecting the scale of the global epidemic were reached: 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths linked to COVID-19. Several countries are currently experiencing a resurgence in viral circulation, such as South Korea, where a second wave is raging, and China, where new lockdown measures have been implemented in a city near Beijing. In other countries, the first wave is still not over, and the death toll continues to rise. In the United States and Brazil in particular, the number of new cases and deaths has never been higher. In Europe, while the situation is stable in many countries, others are not spared. Germany and Portugal, in particular, are facing a resurgence in case numbers. In the United Kingdom, business closures have been ordered in the city of Leicester following a sharp increase in viral transmission over the past two weeks.

Don’t let your guard down…

This first wave of the pandemic had a significant impact in France. Today, with the arrival of summer, life is returning to “normal,” but let’s not forget: preventive measures and social distancing remain essential, and masks must still be worn. No one can rule out a second wave at this point, and the international situation is there to remind us of that.