Led by Inserm and the Direction de la recherche, des études, de l'évaluation et des statistiques (DREES) of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health, in collaboration with their partners (INSEE, Santé publique France, CNRS, INED, Université Paris-Saclay), the project EpiCOV is a large epidemiological study, supported by a large statistical survey, proposing to provide a global and scientifically reliable mapping of the immune status of the population and its dynamics, on the whole territory, via the collection of biological samples coupled with questionnaires.
The objective of the EpiCOV project is to provide, on the one hand, a precise mapping of the population's immune status, health, living conditions and social inequalities concerning these 3 parameters, and on the other hand, a follow-up of the epidemic dynamics in the short, medium and long term. The deployment of a large-scale and statistically representative epidemic surveillance cohort at the departmental level in an exceptionally short timeframe will in particular provide input for epidemic modelling.
The project will be based on a large national survey of a representative sample, randomly selected by INSEE, of more than 200,000 people aged 15 or older, residing throughout the country (metropolitan France, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Reunion Island).
These people will be asked to answer a questionnaire (online or by phone) lasting 20 to 30 minutes and, at the same time, for 100,000 of them who accept it, to take a sample of their blood at home, which will be sent back by mail to determine if there has been contact with the virus.
Responses will be treated confidentially by the research teams, in compliance with the regulations in force (statistical confidentiality, CNIL, RGPD).
Expected results
This project will shed light on the spatial, temporal, sociodemographic and family dimensions of the epidemic and of the containment measures. It aims to describe the frequency of Covid-19 symptoms, to provide input for modelling the evolution of immunity in the population, to provide estimates of the frequency of exposure to the virus, including asymptomatic forms that provide transmission, and to assess changes in the health, well-being and behaviour of people living in France. It is intended to be both accurate and representative of the entire French population, and includes geographically or socio-demographically defined subgroups. All French departments (including some DROM) will be included in the survey.Calendar
Data collection is planned from April 30 to May 24 for the first wave, and a second wave will take place in June. This operation can be repeated regularly to monitor the dynamics of the epidemic and the evolution of health and social conditions in the country, in all territories, all age groups, all major social groups.Initial results from the survey responses should be available nationally by the end of May.
The first results on biological samples will be given as soon as possible, depending on the availability of qualified serological tests, currently under development, and the capacity of the testing platforms, from the end of May.
Participation of local authorities in the project
The local authorities will be fully involved in this study and will be mobilized to relay the importance of this approach to their constituents, whose participation is a prerequisite for the validity of the study. They will have access to the results that concern them directly.A community-researcher liaison committee will be set up to present the study, discuss the initial results and their consequences, and disseminate information about additional studies launched in the territories.
Référence :
