Key Points

COVID-19

• In Week 13 in the Normandy region, epidemic surveillance indicators are showing signs of stabilization from a virological perspective, but the hospital situation remains concerning.

• Incidence rates have recently stabilized, and are even declining in the Eure and Orne departments, accompanied by a decrease in positivity rates, suggesting a decline in viral circulation in the region, despite high testing rates. The Impact study presented in the National Epidemiological Bulletin shows an earlier slowdown in virological indicators in the 16 departments (including Eure and Seine-Maritime) where enhanced public health restrictions were implemented on March 20, along with a ripple effect on other departments that did not have enhanced measures.

• Analysis of the results of screening tests for variants of interest collected via the SI-DEP tool showed a stable proportion of suspected UK variants, which accounted for 79.4% (4,595) of the screened tests. The proportion of suspected ZA or BR variants was also stable at 2.3% (131). Seine-Maritime and Orne had a proportion of approximately 84% of suspected UK variants, Manche at approximately 78%, and Calvados and Eure at 73% and 71%, respectively. The proportion of suspected ZA or BR variants was 6.2% in Calvados, 4% in Manche, and less than 2% in the other departments.

• The number of new admissions of COVID-19 patients to general wards and intensive care units was rising for the third consecutive week. The total number of COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Normandy was also rising, with 1,583 people hospitalized as of March 30, including 214 in intensive care. The number of patients who died during their hospitalization was slightly decreasing.

• The vaccination campaign continues, and 82.8% of nursing home residents as well as 33.8% of healthcare workers had received two doses of the vaccine. Vaccination coverage with one dose in the general population in Normandy was approximately 10%. Accelerating the vaccination campaign is now more than ever a major priority to counter this trend.

Mortality

The age-standardized all-cause mortality rate in the Normandy region has not been in excess since Week 9, with a temporary shift to moderate excess in Week 12. The data still needs to be consolidated. The number of deaths observed among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 increased in Week 13 compared to the previous week.

Bronchiolitis

Rising epidemic phase. In week 13, bronchiolitis activity continues to rise in emergency departments and at SOS-médecin, at moderate levels. Thirty-four RSV cases were isolated by the Rouen University Hospital laboratory.

Gastroenteritis

In week 13, activity for acute gastroenteritis (all ages) at SOS-Médecin is decreasing, while activity in emergency departments is increasing; the activity level is classified as high for SOS-Médecin and moderate for emergency departments. The incidence of acute diarrhea is decreasing sharply in week 13.