Key Points

COVID-19

• In week 44, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 accelerated across the entire Normandy region, with the incidence rate rising for the fourth consecutive week and the effective reproduction number remaining above 1. The alert threshold was once again exceeded, with a regional incidence rate of 54 per 100,000 inhabitants.

• All departments in Normandy saw an increase in their incidence rate, with the largest increases in Calvados (+44%) and Orne (+40%). Seine-Maritime, Eure, and Manche also saw significant increases, albeit more moderate ones.

• Against the backdrop of school holidays, a continued decline in the testing rate was observed across all age groups, and most notably among 10- to 14-year-olds. The positivity rate was rising across all age groups and exceeded 3% in the departments of Calvados, Eure, and Orne.

• At the same time, the number of new hospitalizations was slightly down, and the observed number of new admissions to intensive care remained stable (16 in Week 44 compared to 14 in Week 43).

• As of November 9, 95.0% of Normandy residents aged 12 and older had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 93.4% were fully vaccinated. Among those aged 75 and older, 39.8% had received a booster dose.

• Against the backdrop of increased circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal 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 doses 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

Non-epidemic phase: In week 44, activity related to flu-like symptoms remained low. There was a slight increase in visits to emergency departments and a decrease in the number of calls to SOS Médecins for these symptoms. No influenza virus was isolated this week in Normandy.

Bronchiolitis

Epidemic phase: In week 44, there was stability in emergency department visits and a slight decrease in the number of SOS Médecins calls for bronchiolitis, likely due to school holidays. However, activity remains high and exceeds levels observed in previous years. The number of RSV isolates in hospitalized patients is stable (14 at Caen University Hospital and 59 at Rouen University Hospital in week 44). Over the weekend of November 5–7, 2021, the number of children seen by the Bronchiolitis Network (107 children) and the number of physical therapy sessions performed (163 sessions) remained stable compared to the previous weekend.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis-related activity remained stable at SOS Médecins and increased in emergency departments during week 44. Activity at SOS Médecins is at a low level, similar to previous seasons. In emergency departments, activity is moderate and higher than in previous seasons. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network is decreasing and at a level similar to that of the previous year.