Key Points

COVID-19

• In week 47, Normandy is experiencing another sharp increase in Covid-19 transmission, with a regional incidence rate of 179 per 100,000 inhabitants.

• In schools, a sharp increase in the Covid-19 incidence rate among 6- to 10-year-olds was observed (366 per 100,000), with a rising positivity rate despite increased testing activity in this age group. Furthermore, more than half of the reported clusters are in school and university settings.

• All departments in Normandy showed an increase in their incidence rate, with the largest increase occurring in Manche (+75%). The smallest increase was in Orne (+26%), which nevertheless remained the department with the highest incidence rate (238 per 100,000 inhabitants).

• Testing rates rose sharply and remained highest in Calvados and Seine-Maritime.

• At the same time, the number of new hospitalizations and new admissions to intensive care units began to rise again in the region.

• As of November 30, 95.7% of Normandy residents aged 12 and older had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 94.1% were fully vaccinated. Among those aged 75 and older, 57.2% had received a booster dose.

• Against the backdrop of increased circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and winter viruses, particularly among the elderly, it is essential to encourage vaccination among older adults who have not yet been vaccinated, as well as the administration of booster shots to eligible individuals (including those aged 65 and older), and to maintain high adherence to preventive measures, given the effectiveness of these measures observed to date in containing the epidemic and preserving the healthcare system.

Influenza and Influenza-Like Illness

Non-epidemic phase: In week 47, activity for flu-like symptoms remained low. Visits to emergency departments were on the rise and followed a trend similar to that of 2019–2020. The number of influenza viruses detected by virology laboratories was again on the rise (5 at Rouen University Hospital and 1 at Caen University Hospital) in Normandy. The incidence rate from the sentinel network was increasing and at a level similar to that of 2019–2020.

Bronchiolitis

Epidemic phase: In week 47, emergency department visits for bronchiolitis were on the rise. The number of hospitalizations was also increasing. Activity remained high and exceeded that observed in previous years. The number of RSV isolates in hospitalized patients was increasing (18 at the Caen University Hospital and 48 at the Rouen University Hospital). During the weekend of November 26–28, 2021, the number of children admitted to the Bronchiolitis Network (109 children) and the number of physical therapy sessions performed (175 sessions) were also on the rise compared to the previous weekend.

Acute Gastroenteritis

Activity related to acute gastroenteritis (AG) decreased in emergency departments during week 47. Activity in emergency departments remained at a high level, higher than in previous seasons. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was decreasing but remained higher than in 2020–2021.