Summary

With surveillance indicators having remained stable for several weeks, this epidemiological update focuses on virological surveillance data and reports of clusters (or transmission hotspots). It is based on an analysis of data through June 17, 2020, and complements the analysis conducted at the national level (Santé publique France website).

What is the current situation in Occitanie?

Despite generally low viral circulation in Occitanie (epidemiological indicators from syndromic surveillance have been decreasing or stable at low levels for several weeks), clusters remain active there. They are fewer in number and affect nursing homes (Ehpad) less frequently than before. They currently tend to affect social groups where mobility and/or the difficulty of implementing preventive measures facilitate viral transmission. For example, the Occitanie-PACA trans-regional cluster among agricultural workers in three contiguous departments remains active, and a new cluster has been identified in Haute-Garonne within a group of five socially disadvantaged families. Screening efforts among contacts and in the community, as well as isolation
measures for those infected with the virus, are continuing. No uncontrolled community spread has been identified to date in Occitanie. Furthermore, data from syndromic surveillance (Oscour, SOS Médecin) and hospitalizations (SIVIC) show no increase in the region, particularly in Gard and Haute-Garonne.

What are the public health implications in the region?

The continued circulation of the virus in the region requires a high level of vigilance regarding hygiene, protective measures, and physical distancing to minimize the emergence or persistence of transmission chains. In this context, the early detection of clusters is a major challenge in controlling the spread of the virus, as their rapid management allows for the earliest possible interruption of transmission chains between individuals, thereby preventing the onset of a new wave of the epidemic. Any COVID-19 cluster (defined as the occurrence of at least 3 confirmed or probable cases within a 7-day period, belonging to the same community or having participated in the same gathering of people, whether they know each other or not) must be reported immediately to the focal point of the Occitanie Regional Health Agency: ars31-alerte@ars.sante.fr. To guide cluster investigations, a methodological guide was published this week on the Santé
publique France website.