Key Points

In week 44 of 2020 (October 28–November 1), testing activity has increased significantly since week 39, with 205,996 RT-PCR tests performed (compared to 180,475 in week 43 of 2020). The number of new biologically confirmed cases has risen sharply, reaching 24,873 this week (compared to 17,931 the previous week)*. This number is nearly 40 times higher than at the start of the reopening (616 new infections in week 21 of 2020). The incidence rate continues to rise compared to week 43 of 2020 and now stands at 451 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 325 the previous week). It remains, however, lower than the national incidence rate, which stands at 486 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 406 in week 43 of 2020). The regional positivity rate is also rising to 17.2%, compared to 13.8% in week 43 of 2020. The increase in viral circulation continues to affect all age groups. Just under two-thirds (62%) of new cases tested in week 44 of 2020 are under 50 years old, and 34% are between 20 and 39 years old (these figures were 78% and 46%, respectively, in early September). More than one-third (36%) report being asymptomatic and 55% symptomatic (information is not available for 9% of new cases), whereas symptomatic cases accounted for 38% in early September.

In week 44 of 2020, viral circulation intensified sharply across the entire region, with incidence rates* in some departments doubling compared to the previous week: the Ardennes (500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Aube (454 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Marne (383 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haute-Marne (473 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meurthe-et-Moselle (428 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Meuse (318 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Moselle (415 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Bas-Rhin (594 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Haut-Rhin (390 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), and Vosges (409 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The incidence rate now exceeds the maximum alert threshold in all 10 departments of the region.

The number of new hospitalizations and the number of new admissions to intensive care units for COVID-19 have increased compared to week 43 of 2020 (by 74% and 99%, respectively). In week 44 of 2020, Covid-19 activity in the region’s emergency departments and hospital wards returned to the level observed during the second half of April at the end of the lockdown. The number of Covid-19 deaths in healthcare facilities has also risen significantly (93 deaths compared to 44 the previous week).

As of October 22, 564 clusters or outbreaks had been identified in the region since May 11, of which 349 (+69 compared to the previous week) are currently under investigation.