Key Points

The Start of the Pandemic

• Late February 2020: First severe cases of COVID-19 and large-scale local community transmission chains identified in the Oise department;

• Mid-March 2020: The epidemic reached Stage 3, and a nationwide lockdown was implemented;

The first wave

• A sudden and intense first wave, the true scale of which was underestimated due to limited access to diagnostic testing;

• The three southern departments of the region (Oise, Aisne, Somme) were the hardest hit;

• A severe and underestimated health impact among the elderly, particularly in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes;

• One in two nursing homes affected in Hauts-de-France, with more than 3,700 reported cases among residents and more than 1,700 among staff;

• Hospitalization and critical care admission rates increase with age;

• More than 2,500 COVID-19 deaths in hospitals (72%) and among residents of long-term care facilities (28%), with an estimated relative excess mortality of +16%.

The Second Wave

• A sudden and widespread second wave in the fall of 2020 that began in major cities (Lille and Amiens) and key urban areas;

• The two northern departments of the region (Nord and Pas-de-Calais) were the hardest hit;

• People aged 15–64 were most affected, with the highest incidence rates (>700 cases per 100,000 inhabitants);

• Greater visibility of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, which are more common among children under 15, due to improved access to diagnostic testing;

• 1 in 2 nursing homes affected in Hauts-de-France, with more than 7,300 reported cases among residents and nearly 3,400 among staff;

• Hospitalization and critical care admission rates continue to rise with age;

• More than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths in hospitals (85%) and among residents of long-term care facilities (15%), with an estimated relative excess mortality of +17% in the region.

The Third Wave

• A large-scale third wave following on from the second;

• Circulation of the Alpha variant, which is more transmissible and virulent, quickly becoming the dominant strain in the region;

• People aged 15–64 were most affected, with the highest incidence rates (>500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants);

• Unprecedented regional pressure on hospitals since the start of the pandemic and overwhelmed critical care units;

• A younger age group among severe cases admitted to intensive care;

• As early as February 2021, a rapidly visible effect of vaccination in nursing homes, with a decrease in reported episodes, cases, and deaths among residents (>2,200 cases) and staff (nearly 1,400 cases);

• A decrease in hospital admission rates among the oldest patients (>75 years old) thanks to vaccination;

• More than 4,800 COVID-19 deaths in hospitals (95%) and among residents of long-term care facilities (5%), with an estimated relative excess mortality of +12%.

Well-identified risk factors for severity

• A higher risk of hospitalization and death among older adults;

• Obesity, high blood pressure: comorbidities associated with an increased risk of developing severe disease.

And effective ways to protect yourself

• Adherence to preventive measures: mask-wearing and physical distancing

• Vaccination, which reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization