Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 50 of 2022, a slight decrease in SARS-CoV-2 circulation in the Grand Est region:

• Decrease in incidence across all age groups.

• Stabilization in the number of new hospitalizations across all departments and in critical care compared to week 49 of 2022.

• Stabilization in the number of emergency room visits for COVID-19 and a decrease in the number of COVID-19 consultations at SOS Médecins clinics in the region.

• Departmental incidence rates are decreasing in all departments except Meurthe-et-Moselle and Moselle, where they are stable. The highest incidence rate is observed in Meurthe-et-Moselle (597 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and the lowest in Aube (430 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants).

• In the Grand Est region, the screening rate is 36%, and nearly all screened tests indicate a suspected Omicron variant (for tests where the mutation is sought and interpretable). In week 50 of 2022, 92% of screened samples carried a mutation consistent with the new Omicron sublineages, including BA.5 and its various sublineages (such as BQ.1.1 and BF.7) and BA.4.

(Since incidence data have been incomplete since week 44, they should be interpreted with caution)

Bronchiolitis

• OSCOUR®: In week 50 of 2022, the proportion of emergency department visits related to bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age continued to decline. It stood at 24%, representing 466 visits. The proportion of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis among all hospitalizations following an emergency department visit is also declining, standing at 48% in week 50 of 2022.

• SOS Médecins: In week 50 of 2022, the proportion of cases handled by SOS Médecins related to bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age was 6%, down from week 49 of 2022.

• Virology data: According to results from the virology laboratories at the University Hospitals of Nancy and Strasbourg, in week 50 of 2022, the circulation of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) remains at a high level.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses

• OSCOUR®: In week 50-2022, the number of emergency department visits for flu-like illness across all age groups rose sharply compared to the previous week (591 versus 334 in week 49-2022). The proportion of cases increased significantly to 2.3%.

• SOS Médecins: The number of consultations for influenza-like illness, across all age groups, continues to rise sharply compared to the previous week (1,407 consultations versus 821 in Week 49 of 2022), representing 17.6% of total activity.

• Severe cases: Since the start of surveillance, 5 severe cases of influenza have been reported by intensive care units in the region.

• Virology data: According to data from the virology laboratories at the Nancy and Strasbourg University Hospitals, influenza virus circulation is on the rise in week 50 of 2022.