Abstract

Following a gradual increase in COVID-19 cases in early February, the Île-de-France region experienced rapid community spread in March, with the epidemic peaking in week 13, from March 23 to 29. The impact of the epidemic was significant in the Île-de-France region. Residents of the region accounted for approximately 40% of COVID-19 deaths recorded in France since March 1, whether in hospitals or long-term care facilities.

The lockdown was followed by a sharp decline in Covid-19-related healthcare utilization, first observed in outpatient settings during week 14, from March 30 to April 5, and then in hospitals starting April 7, which continued through week 24, from June 8 to 14—five weeks after the lockdown was lifted. This downward trend came to a halt in week 25.

The epidemic remains stable but active in the region, with 30 hospitalizations for COVID-19 each day (average for the week of June 22–28).

Based on the earliest indicators, the situation in the Île-de-France region remains higher than that of mainland France, with a standardized incidence rate from PCR tests of 6.0 vs. 5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants for mainland France. We continue to observe disparities across departments, with a test incidence rate of 8.0 in Seine-Saint-Denis compared to 4.0 in Seine-et-Marne.

Against a backdrop of moderate but stable virus circulation in the general population, controlling the epidemic relies heavily on managing clusters.

Finally, the arrival of summer is traditionally accompanied by heat waves. Paris and the inner suburbs (departments 92-93-94) experienced their first heat wave of the 2020 summer season on June 24 and 25. In the context of COVID-19 and despite the heat, it is essential to continue following preventive measures.