Proof of a more active circulation of the virus, the number of clusters (*) reported to Public Health France is increasing: 192 outbreaks of contamination were reported between August 17 and 23, against 140 the previous week. The upward trend observed since July is accentuating.
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As of August 24, 352 outbreaks (some of which were previously reported) were therefore under investigation, leading to active screening of contacts. 66% of them are classified as “high criticality”: they are of particular concern to health authorities, for example because of their size, the speed at which the virus is transmitted or the difficulty in controlling them.
Contamination in business is growing, and Ile-de-France is the most affected region.The location of these grouped contaminations has changed in recent weeks. The clusters were mainly linked to health establishments or social structures in May and June. They are now rather identified in extended families (9% of those under investigation), in public or private gatherings (19%), and in companies (33%). "This explains the decrease in the size of the clusters, which now have 9 cases on average" against 17 in May-June, underlines Patrick Rolland, epidemiologist at Public Health France.
Contamination in business is growing, and Ile-de-France is the most affected region. Public administration (public order, security, fire and rescue services in particular) and manufacturing industry are the most represented sectors of activity. Very variable depending on the region, "the profile of the companies concerned is diversifying" , notes the Regional Health Agency Pays de la Loire, which cites administration, call center, training center and hypermarket. "A little less than half of the clusters concern meat processing companies , " says one at the ARS.
Early spotting essential
"It is to be feared that the number of cases grouped in business increases after the summer holidays with a return of employees ," notes Pascal Crépey, epidemiologist at the School of Advanced Studies in Public Health in Rennes. These data clearly justify the obligation to wear a mask in a confined professional environment. ”
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Finally, 9% of the clusters under investigation are identified in health establishments, and only 2% in transport (plane, train and boat). The situation of nursing homes for the elderly is of particular concern to experts. A net increase in the number of clusters (18 reported in one week) is observed for the first time since the beginning of June.
If the clusters represent only 18% of the cases of Covid-19 detected by the health authorities, their early detection is essential to avoid a loss of control of the epidemic. But the virus mostly circulates outside of these risky situations, especially in the family.
* A cluster is defined as at least three confirmed or probable cases, in a period of seven days, in the same community or in a gathering of people who know each other or not.