Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 13, the increase in SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Normandy appeared to be slowing, though epidemic indicators remained at very high levels. The regional incidence rate (IR) rose by 6 to 1,746 per 100,000 inhabitants. The positivity rate (+0.9 percentage points) and the testing rate (+4%) were also on the rise. The increase in the IR was observed across all departments. Regarding the distribution by age group, the increase was observed only among adults, with IRs decreasing among those under 20.

The proportion of samples coded D1 (strong suspicion of Omicron) was 94.6%. There was an increase in the number of hospitalizations and a decrease in new admissions to critical care (unconsolidated data), while the incidence and prevalence of hospitalizations across all departments were rising. Emergency department activity and the number of procedures performed by SOS Médecins associations for suspected COVID-19 were on the rise. The number of deaths in hospitals
and long-term care facilities remained generally stable.

As of April 6, vaccination coverage among Normandy residents aged 12 and older was stable, with 74.2% having received a booster dose. Only 6.9% of those aged 80 and older had received their booster dose, which is recommended for this age group as well as for nursing home residents and immunocompromised individuals.

Influenza

Epidemic phase (for the past 5 weeks). In week 13, the number of emergency room visits and flu-related consultations at SOS Médecins was slightly decreasing but remained above the peak observed in 2019–2020. Regarding the proportion of cases, it was stable in emergency rooms while decreasing slightly in community settings. The incidence rate of influenza-like illnesses reported by the Sentinelles network was increasing. The number of isolated influenza viruses was rising (76 at Caen University Hospital and 332 at Rouen University Hospital); the majority were type A, with co-circulation of AH3N2 (16%) and AH1N1 (25%) viruses. A type B virus was isolated in S13. In S13, influenza-related mortality accounted for 0.34% of deaths in Normandy. Among the 18 severe cases reported by the intensive care sentinel network, the median age was 65 years, 14 had comorbidities, and none had been vaccinated against influenza.

Bronchiolitis

In week 13, the proportion of cases of bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age in emergency departments and at SOS Médecins remained low and close to the 2019–2020 level. The number of visits to SOS Médecins was slightly lower, while the number of visits to emergency departments increased. There was also an increase in the number of hospitalizations following a visit to the emergency department. The number of isolated RSV cases among hospitalized patients remained stable compared to week 12, at a low level (0 at Caen University Hospital and 4 at Rouen University Hospital).

Acute gastroenteritis

The proportion of cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among all age groups and children under 5 in emergency departments and at SOS Médecins showed a slight increase in week 13 and remained at a high level, exceeding that of the 2019–2020 season. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was on the rise and at a level higher than that of 2019–2020.