Editorial

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

As of June 10, epidemiological indicators remain stable at a relatively low level. Activity by SOS Médecins for suspected COVID-19 cases is at its lowest level in 13 weeks, as are the number of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and patients in intensive care for COVID-19. The number of reported COVID-19 cases in medical and social care facilities is also decreasing significantly in the region.
For the last 7 days of available data, the incidence rate calculated from laboratory results is 1 positive result per 100,000 inhabitants for the region, and the positivity rate is 0.4 positive results per 100 tests performed, confirming low viral circulation. Similarly, the effective reproduction number (R_e), which represents the average number of people infected (secondary cases) by an infectious person (index case), is estimated over a 7-day rolling period (May 30 to June 5, 2020) based on data from the OSCOUR® network at 0.84 [0.73–0.97] in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This effective R value below 1 thus means that an infected person infects fewer than one other person and that, consequently, the epidemic is still in decline.
All of this information is reassuring today, but caution is still warranted because no information to date allows us to rule out the possibility of a resurgence of the epidemic.

The number of clusters is also declining in the region, but screening efforts must continue

With three clusters currently under investigation in the region as of June 9, 2020, the number of clustered cases or active transmission chains is clearly decreasing in the region. No uncontrolled community spread has been reported to date. The identification of a cluster does not necessarily indicate a resurgence of the epidemic, but rather reflects the early detection of an event, the resulting screening efforts, and the need for vigilance in that area.
Identifying patients as early as possible, finding and containing clusters—these are now the priorities of surveillance and alert measures against SARS-CoV-2. In this context, it is therefore necessary to continue screening efforts as soon as a transmission chain is suspected or cases appear in vulnerable populations.

Impact on Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare workers are a population particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2. The surveillance system implemented on April 22, 2020, aims to identify salaried healthcare workers in public or private inpatient healthcare facilities who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 since March 1, 2020. In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 77 facilities participated in this surveillance, and 854 infected individuals had been identified as of June 9, 2020. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region has not been spared but remains one of the least affected, with 0.7% of healthcare professionals in healthcare facilities reported as infected with SARS-CoV-2 among all healthcare professionals in healthcare facilities across France.

Let’s remain vigilant

Even though the indicators are reassuring, we cannot say today that we are out of the woods. The epidemic is not over… the virus is still present in our region. Contrary to what is sometimes observed, it is important to remember that all preventive measures must therefore be followed (wearing a mask when necessary, social distancing, using hand sanitizer, etc.)