Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 53, incidence rates and positivity rates are rising in the Normandy region, while testing rates are declining
following the increase observed before the end-of-year holidays. The effective reproduction number (which reflects the rate of spread)
was stable but remained above 1. These trends raise concerns about a resurgence of the epidemic following year-end gatherings, but this remains to be confirmed depending on developments in the coming weeks. The number of new hospitalizations was also on the rise. Regarding mortality, the age- and cause-standardized mortality rate has not been classified as excess since Week 51.

Bronchiolitis

In week 53: activity for bronchiolitis remains low and below previous years. Five new RSV cases were isolated in hospitalized patients during week 53 by laboratories at Normandy university hospitals. Current respiratory infections are primarily caused by rhinoviruses.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis activity is increasing but remains at a low level in week 53.