Spread of the virus, tests, where are we in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?

Illustration of wearing a mask on a market, here in Lyon on the banks of the Saône.

KONRAD K./SIPA -

• The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is one of the most affected by the coronavirus case at present.

• While hospitalizations and the number of positive cases are increasing, deaths remain stable and few in number.

• "Most of the indicators are up sharply, but the numbers are still far below the levels reached in the spring," summarizes the Regional Health Agency.

The large Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is no exception to the rule.

In recent weeks, the coronavirus epidemic has regained ground and the number of positive cases (which must be linked to the multiplication of tests) has exploded in certain sectors.

Particularly in the Rhône department, classified in the red zone.

takes stock of the situation in the region.

The Rhône more affected than the other departments

According to figures published on Friday by Public Health France, the number of cases of infection diagnosed and the incidence rate have sharply increased in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: + 42% for the week of August 31 to September 6 compared to the previous week.

This is twice as much as at the national level (+ 20%).

"The circulation of the virus is always more intense in the region", notes the Regional Health Agency, explaining however that the situation is disparate in the 12 departments.

Unsurprisingly, progress remains strong in the Rhône, already classified in the red zone.

It is the department which has the highest incidence rate: 134 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

This is twice as much as at the regional level and this is an increase of 43% compared to the previous week.

Ain and Isère are also at a “high level of vulnerability”.

The situation is less tense in Ardèche, in Drôme, Loire, Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Savoie and Haute-Savoie where the level of vulnerability is “moderate”.

As for Allier and Cantal, they are an exception with a "limited" risk.

To summarize, "most indicators are on the rise (SOS doctor acts, emergency room visits, new hospitalizations, intensive care admissions) but the numbers are still far below the levels reached in the spring", qualifies the ARS.

Few deaths

In week 36 (August 31-September 6), 221 people were hospitalized in the region due to Covid-19 compared to 136 the previous week.

The number of new intensive care admissions is also increasing (30 versus 18).

But the number of new deaths is "stable", namely 6 or 7 per week.

Since the start of the epidemic, 3,117 people have died from the coronavirus.

67% of patients who died in hospital were 80 years or older.

"No significant excess of mortality has been observed since week 18", confirms the ARS.

Saturated screening and gathering of people singled out

The number of people tested continues to grow in the region, going from 87,620 to 96,356 in one week.

That is an increase of 10%.

A figure considered insufficient if we believe the weekly report.

"This probably reflects the beginning of saturation of screening capacities which leads to an increase in the time taken to render results", notes Public Health France.

Among those tested, 72% are asymptomatic and among the confirmed cases, 39% do not report any symptoms, indicates the ARS pointing to a "number of clusters (75) which is on the rise", to reach "its more high level since the lifting of containment ”.

"If the gatherings of people are still the main cause of the clusters recorded last week, the end of the summer vacation signals the return of clusters in schools and universities, as well as in the workplace", she underlines again. .

The figures speak for themselves: A third of currently detected clusters are linked to gatherings of people and 20% are linked to the professional environment.

Here again, the Rhône appears to be a poor pupil since it alone has 20 clusters.

Almost a quarter of those registered in the region.

And for tomorrow?

Should we expect a tightening of health measures in the coming days?

Here again, the situation may be different according to the departments and Jean Castex recalled the importance of having "territorial responses adapted to local situations", and not "of decisions emanating only from Paris".

In Lyon and Villeurbanne, wearing a mask is compulsory in all streets and throughout the day.

If the decision taken by the regional prefect was retested by the administrative court of Lyon, it was nevertheless validated by the Council of State.

In Grenoble, the measure has not been extended to the whole city, but the areas concerned are more and more numerous.

What new measures can we expect?

In major towns in the region, closing bars and restaurants at 11 p.m. did not appear to be on the cards last week.

But the next figures, which should be published next week, could encourage the prefects to be even more firm.

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