Key Points

COVID-19

• A stabilization in the circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is observed in Week 49. Epidemiological indicators remain high, following several weeks of decline after the peak of the second wave.

• A stabilization of all virological indicators is observed in week 49, in terms of both incidence rates and positivity rates, following several weeks of decline. Note the inclusion of antigen tests (accounting for approximately 11% of positive cases in week 49) and a new method for calculating indicators derived from SIDEP in this bulletin.

• The weekly number of reported clusters remained stable in Week 49 compared to Week 48, with the proportion of reports from long-term care facilities for the elderly (EHPAD) still accounting for the largest share. A slowdown in the decline of the weekly number of reported Covid-19 cases in ESMS/EHPADs was observed in Week 48, with numbers remaining at a high level (data for Week 49 currently being consolidated).

• In urban areas, the decline in the number of SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 continued in Week 49, while the number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 in hospitals remained generally stable in Week 49 compared to Week 48. The weekly number of new hospitalizations of Covid-19 patients and the number of new admissions to intensive care units for Covid-19 patients continued to decline in the region in Week 49.

• In Week 48, no excess mortality from all causes and across all age groups has been observed at the regional level so far, following significant excesses observed from Week 45 to Week 47, particularly among people aged 65 and older.

Bronchiolitis in children under 2

• SOS Médecins: no significant increase in SOS Médecins calls for bronchiolitis in children under two; indicators remain at a low level, significantly lower than in previous years during the same period.

• Pediatric emergency visits - Oscour®: no significant increase in emergency room visits for bronchiolitis among children under two years of age; indicators remain at a low level, significantly lower than in previous years during the same period.

• Virology data from the Nantes University Hospital laboratory: no positive RSV isolates at Nantes University Hospital in week 49.