Key Points

During Week 37, syndromic surveillance indicators continued to rise while remaining at relatively low levels. Indicators of emergency care utilization estimated from the emergency facilities of the Oscour® network and the SOS Médecins associations were up compared to the previous week (by 88% and 31%, respectively). This trend was particularly noticeable in Gard
, Haute-Garonne, and Tarn-et-Garonne. Indicators from ESMS surveillance in Occitanie also continued to rise, particularly in nursing homes. Finally, the number of conventional hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions followed the same trend (up 39% and 50%, 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 8 departments, and the positivity rate exceeded 5% in 6 departments. This trend in viral circulation is particularly evident among those aged 70 and older, those aged 50–60, and those aged 10–20. This evolution in viral circulation is consistent with, on the one hand, the hypothesis of transgenerational transmission and, on the other hand, the occurrence of clusters in long-term care facilities and school/university settings.

The weekly number of clusters reported in the region was rising sharply, particularly in nursing homes and schools/universities. A description of clusters since May 11 is presented in this epidemiological update. It shows that nearly one-third of the clusters reported since May 11 are high-risk and that they account for the majority of large clusters in terms of case numbers. Furthermore, at least one death has occurred in one-third of these high-risk clusters.

As of 1:00 PM on September 17, 2020, given the evolution of the epidemic, 7 departments in the region are classified as having a high vulnerability level (Aveyron, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, Tarn, and Tarn-et-Garonne), while the other 6 are classified as having moderate vulnerability. Furthermore, as of September 14, 2020, Aude, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Tarn-et-Garonne were still classified as active transmission zones, along with 31 other French departments.