Key Points

• Normandy is among the metropolitan regions least affected in terms of incidence rates.

• The regional weekly incidence rate was highest during the second period (maximum incidence rate of 367 per 100,000 inhabitants).

• At the departmental level, Seine-Maritime had the highest incidence rate (434 per 100,000) during the second period, and the department of Eure had the highest incidence rate (407 per 100,000) during the third period.

• Throughout the entire analysis period, the testing rate was higher among asymptomatic individuals (all ages combined), but incidence rates were higher among symptomatic individuals aged 15–74.

• Normandy is among the regions with the lowest rates of hospitalization and admission to intensive care.

• Hospitalization rates increased during the analysis period, with the third period showing the highest rate (278 per 100,000 inhabitants); In total, between March 2020 and June 2021, 17,592 new hospitalizations (mostly among those over 80) and 2,725 new critical care admissions (mainly among those aged 60–80) were recorded.

• Deaths in critical care units were associated with advanced age and/or the presence of comorbidities.

• Long-term care facilities (ESMS) were particularly affected, with a peak in reported confirmed cases during the first period, but a higher number of reports during the second period. The number of deaths reported in ESMS followed the course of the epidemic, except during the third period, which was marked by the start of vaccination in these facilities.

• Normandy did not record significant excess mortality (all causes) during the three periods, with excess mortality estimated at +5% (period 1), +11% (period 2), and +6% (period 3); Between March 2020 and May 2021, 4,266 COVID-19 deaths occurred in healthcare facilities, 22% of which were in long-term care facilities.