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 stopped in week 25, remaining at a low and stable level in week 26.

What is new in this update for the region?

In week 27 (June 29 to July 5), the majority of regional epidemiological indicators (in urban areas as well as in healthcare and long-term care facilities) showed a trend toward increased viral circulation in Île-de-France.
Based on virological surveillance data (via SiDEP), the situation in Île-de-France remained higher than that of mainland France, with a standardized incidence rate of PCR tests of 6.6 vs. 5.4 per 100,000 inhabitants for mainland France. Week 27 was marked by an intensification of testing campaigns.
However, the epidemic remains very active in the region even though the daily number of hospitalizations is declining. Disparities among departments are observed in terms of hospitalizations and intensive care admissions. An increase in these indicators is also being observed in Paris for the first time since the lifting of lockdown measures (week 20).
The virus therefore continues to circulate in the general population; controlling the epidemic remains dependent on controlling transmission clusters, which continue to occur in workplaces, families, and social circles.

What are the public health implications for the region?

In this context, the Ile-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS), in partnership with the ARS and the Primary Health Insurance Funds and the MSA (excluding Paris), has launched a testing campaign. The objective of this campaign—which will also be piloted in other regions and complements existing “mobile testing site” campaigns—is to strengthen the strategy of “reaching out” to and encouraging testing among people with limited access to testing. In particular, it aims to detect potential clusters consisting of infected but asymptomatic individuals.
The prescription vouchers will cover 100% of the cost of an RT-PCR virological screening test. If this test is positive, the same voucher will serve as a prescription for a serological test.
The tests may be performed at any medical laboratory in France and are valid indefinitely.