Key Points

• In Week 01 (January 4–10, 2021), epidemiological indicators tracking the COVID-19 outbreak show an increase in SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a high level in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, following holiday gatherings at the end of the year. Furthermore, the emergence of variants could lead to an acceleration of the epidemic and requires increased vigilance.

• At the regional level, in Week 01, testing rates increased by 4%, following the decline observed in Week 53. The incidence rate rose by 30% compared to Week 53, reaching 222 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It increased across all age groups, but most sharply among those under 20 (+45%). It increased in all departments of the region and exceeds the threshold of 200 per 100,000 in all departments except Cantal. The positivity rate (8.3%) is also on the rise. The fact that the increase in the number of confirmed cases is outpacing the increase in testing suggests a real rise in incidence between weeks 53 and 01.

• In primary care, the incidence rate of consultations for acute respiratory infections (ARI) estimated by the Sentinelles network is rising, as is the number of SOS Médecins medical interventions for suspected COVID-19, which has increased by 20%.

• In social and medico-social institutions (ESMS), the number of new reports has doubled compared to week 53; the number of cases and the number of deaths reported in ESMS have also increased.

• In hospitals, the number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 has risen slightly (+3%). After a slight decline in week 53, the number of new hospitalizations for COVID-19 increased by 22%, the number of intensive care admissions by 33%, and hospital mortality rose by 18%.

• All-cause mortality continues to show a significant excess at a moderate level in week 53.

• The vaccination campaign began on January 4 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. As of January 14, 32,705 vaccinations had been administered in the region.