Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 07, the decline in SARS-CoV-2 circulation continued in Normandy, with an incidence rate of 742 per 100,000 inhabitants (-34% compared to Week 1); however, epidemic levels remained high. The positivity rate was down to 28% (-1.8 percentage points), as was the testing rate (-30%). These rates were declining in all departments.

The proportion of D1 samples (strong suspicion of Omicron) was 98.2%. Indicators of hospital and outpatient activity showed sharp declines. The decrease in the number of hospitalized patients and new admissions in the general hospital sector and critical care units affected all departments. Mortality in hospitals and long-term care facilities remained high, however.

As of February 23, 81.4% of Normandy residents aged 5 and older had received a full primary vaccination series, and nearly 80.6% of eligible individuals had received their booster dose.

Influenza

Pre-epidemic phase: in week 07, the number of emergency department visits was stable and lower than the level observed in 2019–2020. Activity and the number of flu-related consultations at SOS Médecins were increasing but remained lower than those observed in 2019–2020. The incidence
rate of influenza-like illness reported by the Sentinelles network was also decreasing. The number of isolated
influenza viruses was decreasing (3 at Caen University Hospital and 52 at Rouen University Hospital); all were type A.

Bronchiolitis

Non-epidemic phase: in week 07, emergency department visits for bronchiolitis increased slightly, and activity was moderate. The number of hospitalizations following an emergency department visit was increasing (+19% compared to week 06). The number of SOS Médecins consultations
for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age was decreasing, and activity was moderate. The number of isolated RSV cases among hospitalized patients was low and decreasing compared to week 06 (3 at Caen University Hospital and 8 at Rouen University Hospital). Over the weekend of February 19–20, 2022, the number of children seen by the Normandy Bronchiolitis Network (19 children) and the number of physical therapy sessions performed (27 sessions) were down compared to the previous weekend.

Acute Gastroenteritis

Activity for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups in emergency departments increased during week 07 and remained at a high level, exceeding that of the 2019–2020 season. The number of acute gastroenteritis (AG) visits at SOS Médecins was decreasing, with moderate activity levels. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was decreasing and at a level lower than in 2019–2020.