Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 52, there was a sharp acceleration in SARS-CoV-2 transmission linked to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and an increase in new hospitalizations.

In Normandy, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is accelerating further, with the regional incidence rate (IR) rising to 1,600 per 100,000 inhabitants—a relative increase of +235%—reaching a level similar to that of most regions. This increase is observed across all age groups. The positivity rate was also rising sharply and crossed the alert threshold (16.8%). Testing activity was on the rise (+49%). In week 52, 82% of screening tests indicated a profile consistent with Omicron.

This very sharp regional and national increase is also observed in all departments. Due to a technical issue, detailed data by department are temporarily unavailable, as discrepancies have been noted at the departmental level between the SIDEP data received by Santé publique France in recent days and those available to the ARS.
Furthermore, all pre-hospital indicators (visits to SOS Médecins and emergency department visits) and hospital indicators (new hospitalizations in general wards) show increases reflecting the impact of the sharp rise in viral circulation on the hospital system. Only new admissions to critical care units remain stable.
In week 52, 92.2% of Normandy residents over the age of 12 had received a full primary vaccination series, and 49.5% had received a booster dose.

Influenza

Transition to the pre-epidemic phase: activity in emergency departments and SOS Médecins for influenza and flu-like symptoms was on the rise. The number of influenza viruses detected by virology laboratories was increasing, and all were type A.

Bronchiolitis

Epidemic phase, declining: visits to emergency departments and SOS Médecins for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age were decreasing, although activity remained high.

Acute gastroenteritis

Activity for acute gastroenteritis (AGI), across all age groups, in emergency departments and SOS Médecins was on the rise and at a high level in week 51.