Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 12, SARS-CoV-2 circulation continued to rise in Normandy, with an incidence rate of 1,639 per 100,000 inhabitants (+46%), remaining at high epidemic levels. The positivity rate was rising (+4.5 percentage points), as was the testing rate (+28%). The increase in the incidence rate was observed across all departments and for all age groups.

The proportion of samples coded D1 (strong suspicion of Omicron) was 94.8%.

Regarding hospitalizations, new admissions were decreasing, but prevalence continued to rise. Incidence and prevalence were decreasing for critical care. Emergency department activity and the number of calls handled by SOS Médecins for suspected COVID-19 were on the rise. The number of deaths in hospitals was increasing.

As of March 30, vaccination coverage among Normans over the age of 12 was stable, with 74.2% of them having received a booster dose.

Influenza

Epidemic phase (for the past 4 weeks): In week 12, the number of emergency department visits continued to rise sharply and exceeded the peak observed in 2019–2020. Activity and the number of flu-related consultations at SOS Médecins were again rising sharply and exceeded the peak observed in 2019–2020. The incidence rate of influenza-like illnesses reported by the Sentinelles network was also rising. The number of isolated influenza viruses was increasing (61 at Caen University Hospital and 283 at Rouen University Hospital), with a majority of type A and co-circulation of AH3N2 and AH1N1 viruses. A type B virus was isolated in week 12.

Bronchiolitis

Non-epidemic phase: in week 12, visits to emergency departments and SOS Médecins for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age were decreasing, and activity was low. The number of hospitalizations following a visit to the emergency department was also decreasing.

Acute gastroenteritis

Activity for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups in emergency departments was slightly decreasing in week 12 and remained at a high level, higher than that of the 2019–2020 season. The number of AGE consultations at SOS Médecins was decreasing, with moderate activity levels that were higher than those of 2019–2020. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was decreasing and at a level similar to that of 2019–2020.