France - Clusters on the rise, but virus circulation remains low

 The number of clusters, ie the concentration of coronavirus cases in a given location, is progressing in France but the "circulation indicators" of the SARS-CoV-2 virus remain at "low levels", according to the Santé agency publique France (SpF). In the weekly press point on the epidemic, the health agency recorded a "slight increase in the number of new clusters" but a "lack of uncontrolled community diffusion". Like last week, SpF notes above all the absence of "favorable signals for a recovery of the epidemic". Between 7 and 13 June, 2,837 patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, equivalent to 1.3% of the 214,252 PCR tests performed in the country in the same period. A decrease compared to the previous week (1.5%). And yet, the weekly number of clusters discovered in France went from 29 to 37 in seven days.
    The day before yesterday, June 16, 74 clusters were under investigation in the country.
    An analysis by department shows that the highest number of clusters is found in French Guyana (12), in the Northern department (6) and in the Loire-Atlantique department (5). Of the total of 239 clusters discovered since May 9, half are considered to be "closed" (ie no new cases reported after the 14-day isolation period imposed on those who come in contact with the disease) and 19% are considered to be " under control "(no new cases seven days after the last case).
    A cluster consists of at least three confirmed or probable cases over a 7-day period in the same community or between people who participated in the same gathering. The SPF balance does not take into account the clusters in nursing homes or those occurring in restricted family environments, limited to a single family unit. In Sarcelles, in the hinterland of Paris, the test campaign was intensified due to numerous cases of coronaviruses, a much higher than average level.