Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 10, a further increase in SARS-CoV-2 circulation was observed in Normandy, with an incidence rate of 802 per 100,000 inhabitants (+31%), remaining at high epidemic levels. The positivity rate was rising (+3.6 percentage points), as was the testing rate (+13%). The increase in the incidence rate was observed across all departments and for all age groups.
The proportion of D1 samples (strong suspicion of Omicron) was 94.3%.

Hospital activity indicators (incidence and prevalence) were stabilizing for hospitalizations and continued to decline for critical care. Regarding pre-hospital activity, the number of emergency room visits and the number of procedures performed by SOS Médecins were generally stable. The number of deaths in hospitals was decreasing.

As of March 14, vaccination coverage among Normans aged 12 and older was stable, with 74% of them having received a booster dose.

Influenza and Influenza-Like Illness

Epidemic phase: In week 10, the number of emergency department visits continued to rise sharply and was approaching the peak observed in 2019–2020. Activity and the number of flu-related consultations at SOS Médecins were again rising sharply and were close to the peak observed in 2019–2020. The incidence rate of influenza-like illnesses reported by the Sentinelles network was also rising sharply. The number of isolated influenza viruses was increasing, with a majority of type A (co-circulation of AH3N2 and AH1N1 viruses). A type B virus was isolated in week 10.

Bronchiolitis

Non-epidemic phase: in week 10, emergency department visits for bronchiolitis were stable and activity was low. The number of hospitalizations following an emergency department visit was decreasing. The number of SOS Médecins consultations for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age was stable, and activity was low. The number of RSV isolates in hospitalized patients was low and slightly higher than in week 09. Over the weekend of March 12–13, 2022, the number of children seen by the Normandy Bronchiolitis Network (17 children) and the number of physical therapy sessions provided (25 sessions) were slightly lower compared to the previous weekend.

Acute Gastroenteritis

Activity for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups in emergency departments increased in week 10 and remained at a high level, exceeding that of the 2019–2020 season. The number of AGE consultations at SOS Médecins remained stable at a high level, similar to that of 2019–2020. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was on the rise and at a level higher than in 2019–2020.