COVID-19 Epidemiological Update for December 17, 2020: Stay Vigilant as the Holidays Approach; Virus Transmission Is on the Rise

CP_pe_covid_171220.pdf

Published on 18 December 2020

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Santé publique France
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Stéphanie Champion: 01 41 79 67 48
Marie Delibéros: 01 41 79 69 61
Camille Le Hyaric: 01 41 79 68 64

Published weekly, the epidemiological update on COVID-19 surveillance provides a detailed analysis of the various indicators established by Santé publique France and its network of partners to track the progression of the epidemic and guide public policy decisions. In week 50, after several weeks of decline, indicators—which remain at high levels—are showing a concerning trend: the number of new confirmed cases is rising again (+10%) and hospital indicators are stabilizing. With the holidays and festive gatherings approaching, the consistent adoption of preventive measures and social distancing in both private and public settings must be strengthened to prevent a resurgence of the epidemic in the coming weeks.

Increase in viral circulation

During week 50 (December 7–13), an average of nearly 11,400 cases were confirmed each day in France. After five weeks of continuous decline, the number of new cases confirmed by RT-PCR and antigen tests increased by 10% (79,787 new cases in week 50 compared to 72,516 in week 49).

New hospitalizations (8,608 in week 50 vs. 8,424 in week 49) and ICU admissions (1,146 in week 49 vs. 1,127 in week 49) are stabilizing (+2% respectively).

COVID-19-related mortality remains very high, with 2,515 new deaths recorded in week 50 and mixed trends across regions. The decrease in deaths observed compared to week 49 (2,880 deaths, or -13%) remains to be confirmed in the coming weeks due to the longer consolidation period for mortality data, particularly for deaths occurring in long-term care facilities.

A priority: protecting ourselves and the most vulnerable

The epidemic situation observed in Week 50 requires strict adherence to preventive measures in both private and public settings as the holidays approach and in the context of the easing of lockdown measures, in order to prevent an epidemic surge.

Even today, the adoption by everyone of individual prevention measures combined with collective measures remains the only way to limit the spread of the virus, contain the epidemic, and protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Finally, anyone exhibiting symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 must self-isolate immediately and get tested as soon as possible. The use of digital tools (TousAntiCovid) is also recommended to strengthen contact tracing and rapid isolation efforts.