Key Points

During week 36, trends in syndromic surveillance indicators showed an increase, while remaining at relatively low levels. Indicators of emergency care utilization, estimated based on data from the Oscour® network’s emergency facilities and SOS Médecins associations, were up compared to the previous week (by 10% and 55%, respectively). This trend is particularly noticeable
in Haute-Garonne, Hérault, Tarn-et-Garonne, and Pyrénées-Orientales. Indicators derived from ESMS surveillance in Occitanie also continued to rise (+13%). Finally, the number of conventional hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions followed the same trend (up 35% and 68%, respectively).

Indicators of viral circulation in the general population were also rising in all departments of the region, with high levels in certain departments. Departmental incidence rates of positive COVID-19 cases (identified by RT-PCR) exceeded 50 cases per 100,000 in nearly half of the departments, and the positivity rate exceeded 5% in 3 departments. This increase in circulation is observable across all age groups. The highest incidence rates continue to be among those aged 20–30 (28% of positive cases tested), followed by those aged 30–40 (17%) and those aged 10–20 (13%). The weekly number of clusters reported in the region rose sharply (+39%), regardless of the type of community involved.

As of September 9, 2020, given the evolution of the epidemic, 5 departments in the region were classified as having a high vulnerability level (Gard, Haute-Garonne, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Tarn-et-Garonne), 6 as having moderate vulnerability, and 1 as having limited vulnerability (Lot). Furthermore, Gard, Haute-Garonne, and Hérault were still classified as active transmission zones, along with 25 other French departments.