Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 45, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 accelerated across the entire Normandy region, with the incidence rate rising for the fifth consecutive week and the effective reproduction number remaining above 1. The alert threshold was once again exceeded, with a regional incidence rate of 76 per 100,000 inhabitants. All departments in Normandy saw an increase in their incidence rates, with the largest increases in Orne (+92%) and Manche (+85%). The departments of Seine-Maritime and Eure saw more moderate
increases. Finally, a stabilization was observed in Calvados (-3%). Testing rates are on the rise again, particularly in Calvados and Seine-Maritime. The positivity rate increased to 3% (vs. 2.8% in Week 44). At the same time, the number of new hospitalizations was rising, while the observed number of new admissions to intensive care remained stable (17 in Week 45 versus 18 in Week 44).
As of November 16, 95.2% of Normandy residents aged 12 and older had received at least one vaccine dose, and 93.6% were fully vaccinated. It is estimated that 69.3% of people aged 65 and older eligible for a booster dose had actually received their booster dose as of November 16, 2021. Among those aged 75 and older, 44.9% had received a booster dose.

Winter Epidemics

• Flu: In week 45, activity for flu-like symptoms remained low. There was a stabilization in emergency department visits and an increase in the number of SOS Médecins calls for these symptoms. No influenza virus was isolated this week in Normandy.

• Bronchiolitis: In week 45, there was a decrease in emergency room visits and a sharp drop in the number of SOS Médecins consultations for bronchiolitis. However, activity remains high and exceeds that observed in previous years. The number of RSV isolates among hospitalized patients is declining (13 at Caen University Hospital and 49 at Rouen University Hospital in week 44). Over the weekend of November 12–14, 2021, the number of children seen by the Bronchiolitis Network (85 children) and the number of physical therapy sessions performed (132 sessions) were down compared to the previous weekend. During the November 11 holiday, 69 children were seen and 69 physical therapy sessions were conducted.

• Gastroenteritis: GEA activity is on the rise at SOS Médecins as well as in emergency departments during week 45. Activity at SOS Médecins is at a moderate 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 increasing and at a level similar to that of 2019–2020.