Key Points

COVID-19

• In the Pays de la Loire region, the spread of Covid-19 continues to intensify, with a growing impact on the healthcare system and healthcare utilization.

• In week 48, the regional incidence rate continued to rise, standing above 360 per 100,000 inhabitants and exceeding the highest rate recorded during the second wave of the pandemic in week 44 of 2020 (late October 2020). The positivity rate also continued to rise, though at a less pronounced rate. The incidence rate continued to rise across all age groups, particularly among those under 15 and those aged 30–45, who had the highest rates. Children under 15 again had a particularly high testing rate in week 48. As in mainland France, the L452R mutation (primarily carried by the Delta variant) remained the overwhelming majority among regionally screened results.

Bronchiolitis

The Pays de la Loire region has been in an epidemic phase for bronchiolitis since Week 41, marking the 8th consecutive week in Week 48, similar to other metropolitan regions (see map opposite). After a slight decline linked to the All Saints’ Day school break and the November 11 long weekend, healthcare utilization for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age (particularly emergency department visits) has been rising again since Week 46, remaining at high levels and well above alert thresholds. These cases are linked to the sharp increase in RSV circulation reported by the virology laboratories at the Nantes and Angers University Hospitals in Week 47, which has remained at such a high level in Week 48.