Key Points

COVID-19

• In Hauts-de-France, during Week 17, subject to consolidation of the most recent data, the epidemic situation continues to improve across all regions, with the ^SIDEP effective reproduction number (R-eff) still declining and remaining significantly below 1 for the fourth consecutive week. The decrease in the incidence rate is associated with a smaller decline in testing since the resumption of school and socio-professional activities. The trend remains generally favorable across all age groups and stable among those under 15. Incidence rates among those over 65, while also showing a favorable trend, remain high (>500 cases/100,000 inhabitants) and warrant continued vigilance.

• Regional circulation of the Omicron variant remains almost exclusive (99.8%) and is dominated by the BA.2 sublineage, which has increased transmissibility.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses

Transition to the post-epidemic phase after 7 consecutive weeks of influenza epidemic. In Week 17, visits for influenza-like illnesses continued to decline in emergency departments and in the two SOS Médecins associations reporting their data (Saint-Quentin and Amiens). The incidence rate of acute respiratory infections, all causes, estimated by the Sentinelles network was increasing in Week 17. The number of influenza viruses isolated in the laboratories of the Lille and Amiens university hospitals continued to decline in Week 17.