Key Points

COVID-19

• In Week 52, several indicators are declining in the Normandy region, notably the incidence rate and the positivity rate. These indicators were influenced by increased testing activity before the end-of-year holidays, a decrease in activity during the holidays—as seen nationwide—and the mass testing campaign organized in the Le Havre Seine Métropole urban community from December 14 to 19. These indicators should therefore be interpreted with caution.

• The number of new hospitalizations was also decreasing.

• The effective reproduction number (which reflects the rate of spread) was stable but remained above 1.

• Regarding mortality, the age-standardized mortality rate for all causes is no longer classified as excess.

Mortality

The all-cause mortality rate standardized for all ages in the Normandy region is no longer classified as excess in week 51 (pending consolidation). It had been moderately elevated since week 43 (and highly elevated in week 49). The number of deaths observed among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 decreased in week 52 compared to the previous week.

Bronchiolitis and Gastroenteritis

In week 52: Bronchiolitis activity remains low and below previous years’ levels. A first case of RSV was isolated in a patient hospitalized in week 51 in the laboratories of Normandy university hospitals. Current respiratory infections are primarily caused by rhinoviruses. Gastroenteritis activity is decreasing and remains at a low level in week 52.