Key Points

COVID-19

• In Week 46, the spread of Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) accelerated across the entire Normandy region, with the incidence rate rising for the sixth consecutive week and the effective reproduction number (Rt) exceeding 1 and continuing to rise. The alert threshold was once again exceeded, with a regional incidence rate of 120 per 100,000 inhabitants. In schools, there was a very sharp increase in the incidence rate among 3- to 10-year-olds, which should be viewed in parallel with a very sharp increase in testing activity in this age group. All departments in Normandy showed an increase in their incidence rates, with the largest increases occurring in Orne (+101%) and Seine-Maritime (+100%). Testing rates were on the rise and remained highest in Calvados and Seine-Maritime. The positivity rate increased to 3.5% (vs. 3.0% in S45).

• At the same time, the number of new hospitalizations remained stable, and the observed number of new admissions to intensive care units was slightly decreasing.

• As of November 23, 95.4% of Normandy residents aged 12 and older had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 93.9% were fully vaccinated. Among those aged 75 and older, 51.2% had received a booster dose.

Flu

• Activity related to flu-like symptoms remained low, with a stabilization in emergency department visits and a slight decrease in the number of calls to SOS Médecins for these symptoms.

Bronchiolitis

• Decrease in emergency room visits and sharp drop in the number of SOS Médecins consultations. However, activity remains high and exceeds that observed in previous years.

Gastroenteritis

• Increased activity at SOS Médecins as well as in emergency departments. 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.