Key Points

COVID-19

COVID-19 transmission remained high in Normandy, with the incidence rate (IR) declining for the second consecutive week to 2,318 per 100,000 inhabitants (-28% compared to Week 1) in Week 05-2022. The positivity rate was down to 34.2%, as was the testing rate (-25%). The IR was decreasing in all departments. The proportion of A0C0 samples (compatible with Omicron) was over 99%. A screening result indicating the presence of one of Omicron’s target mutations (coded D1, strong suspicion of Omicron) was identified in 98.4% of interpretable results.

At the hospital level, both the number of new hospitalizations and the number of hospitalized patients were decreasing. This decline in new hospitalizations was observed in all departments except Manche, where the number remained stable. Among new hospitalizations, two-thirds were due to COVID-19. The number of new admissions and the number of people hospitalized in critical care were slightly decreasing. In urban areas, the number of calls handled by SOS Médecins for suspected COVID-19 cases was sharply decreasing.

As of February 8, 81.1% of Normandy residents aged 5 and older had received a full primary vaccination series, and nearly 78.2% of eligible individuals had received their booster dose.

Influenza

Pre-epidemic phase: In week 05, the proportion of emergency department visits for influenza and influenza-like illnesses was increasing but remained below the level observed in 2019–2020. Activity and the number of influenza-related consultations at SOS Médecins were decreasing and lower than those observed in 2019–2020. The incidence rate of influenza-like illnesses reported by the Sentinelles network was increasing. The proportion of influenza viruses detected by virology laboratories in the region was stable; all were type A.

Bronchiolitis

Non-epidemic phase: In week 05, emergency department visits for bronchiolitis were decreasing, and activity was moderate. The number of hospitalizations following an emergency department visit was stable. The number of SOS Médecins consultations for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age was stable, and activity remained low. The proportion of RSV isolated in hospitalized patients was stable and at a low level. During the weekend of February 5–6, 2022, activity in the Normandy Bronchiolitis Network was stable compared to the previous weekend.

Acute Gastroenteritis

Activity for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups in emergency departments increased in week 5 and remained at a high level, similar to that of the 2019–2020 season. The number of acute gastroenteritis (AG) visits at SOS Médecins remained stable, though activity levels remained high. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was decreasing and at a lower level than in 2019–2020.