Editorial

No second wave so far…

Three weeks after May 11, the second phase of the post-lockdown period began on June 2, marked in particular by the end of the 100-km travel limit and the reopening of many public gathering places. This further easing of restrictions comes amid a very stable epidemiological situation in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, as epidemiological indicators remain at relatively low levels, suggesting low-level viral circulation with no warning signs of a new outbreak. Activity at SOS Médecins and hospital emergency departments for suspected COVID-19 cases is at its lowest level in 12 weeks, as is the number of 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. All of this information is reassuring today, but caution is warranted because the virus is still present in our region.

… but clusters identified in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

The surveillance system put in place has made it possible to quickly identify new cases and their contacts, and to detect the onset of the disease in some of them very rapidly. This well-known “contact tracing” system aims to detect chains of viral transmission early on and to implement preventive measures very quickly to interrupt them. The identification of several clusters in Nouvelle-Aquitaine reveals the persistence of viral circulation but also demonstrates the effectiveness of the detection system that has been put in place, which relies on the unwavering commitment of numerous healthcare professionals and the exemplary cooperation of those affected and their contacts. Thus, the identification of these clusters does not necessarily indicate a resurgence of the epidemic but rather the capacity of the existing system to detect them. Thanks to the screening efforts that have been implemented and the vigilance maintained in the affected areas, the clusters identified so far have been investigated and brought under control very quickly.

Maintaining preventive measures

With Phase 2 of the post-lockdown period and despite favorable surveillance indicators, vigilance must continue because, based on current knowledge, everything suggests that a large portion of the population is not protected against this virus, and that the risk of a resurgence of the epidemic cannot therefore be ruled out.
Compliance with preventive measures therefore remains necessary (wearing a mask when necessary, social distancing, using hand sanitizer, etc.) to ensure that this new step toward lifting restrictions is not accompanied by a resurgence in viral circulation. Furthermore, it remains essential to consult your primary care physician as soon as suggestive clinical signs appear in order to detect new infections early and take appropriate management measures as quickly as possible.

A Single Goal

Today, every effort must be made to detect clusters of cases and the onset of transmission chains as quickly as possible in order to prevent the spread of the virus. A single goal that can be summed up in three watchwords: prevent – monitor – act
Santé publique France, alongside the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency, is thus dedicating all its efforts to tracking the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic and anticipating a potential resurgence.