Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, the decline in SARS-CoV-2 circulation is confirmed in Week 47. All epidemiological indicators remain at high levels, but a decrease is observed in both viral circulation and health impact. These observations seem to indicate that the epidemic peak of new infections and hospitalizations from the second wave has been passed.

The decline in all virological indicators continues in Week 47, in terms of incidence rates, testing rates, and positivity rates. This decrease is observed across all age groups, although it is less pronounced among people aged 75 and older. Note that diagnoses made via antigen tests are not included in this bulletin, as their integration into the calculation of the various indicators is currently underway. A slight underestimation of the presented indicators is therefore likely, on the order of approximately 5% (affecting testing and incidence only).

The weekly number of reported clusters remains high in Week 47, primarily due to a high proportion of reports in long-term care facilities for the elderly (Ehpad). The weekly number of reported Covid-19 cases in ESMS/EHPAD facilities remains high but appears to be slowing since Week 46 (with Week 47 data still being finalized).

In urban areas, the decline in the number of SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 continues in Week 47, as does the decline in the number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 in hospitals. The weekly number of new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients and the number of new ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients are also decreasing in Week 47, although they remain at high levels.

A decrease in all-cause mortality across all age groups was observed at the regional level in Week 46 compared to Week 45, when a significant excess had been noted, primarily among people aged 65 and older. In Week 46, all-cause mortality across all age groups is at the upper limit of the usual fluctuation ranges for this period.

At the departmental level, the decline in positivity and incidence rates continued in Week 47 across all departments, though more moderately in Sarthe. A decrease in the number of new hospitalizations and intensive care admissions was observed in all departments in Week 47, except in Sarthe, where the number of new hospitalizations remained stable.

Bronchiolitis

The Pays de la Loire region is not currently experiencing an epidemic of bronchiolitis among children under two years of age. SOS Médecins calls and emergency room visits for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age remain at a low level, and to date, no active circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes bronchiolitis epidemics, has been observed in the region.