Epidemiological Surveillance in the Pays de la Loire Region. Update as of January 14, 2022.

Published on 14 January 2022

Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has increased significantly, in line with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant at the national and regional levels, with a major impact on the healthcare system, healthcare utilization, and social and medical services (ESMS).

In S01, the regional incidence rate continued its sharp rise, reaching an adjusted incidence rate (accounting for the January 1 holiday) of over 2,000 per 100,000 inhabitants, as in all French regions. Although this increase was observed across all age groups, incidence rates were highest among those aged 15–30 (>4,500 per 100,000 population), followed by those aged 30–45 and those under 15, among whom the steepest rise was observed. The testing rate also increased in S01, significantly among those under 15, in connection with the start of the school year and the resumption of school testing. As for the positivity rate, it continued to rise, reaching its highest level since the start of the epidemic (20%). The proportion of A0C0 screenings, a proxy for the Omicron variant, rose rapidly, reaching 84% in Week 52 and then 94% in Week 01, and thus constitutes the vast majority. The detection of C1 screenings indicates that the Delta variant continues to circulate, but the marked increase in the incidence rate appears to be primarily due to the Omicron variant.
Regarding healthcare utilization, SOS Médecins calls and emergency department visits for suspected COVID-19 have increased since Week 52, with the rise accelerating in Week 01 for SOS Médecins. The number of incidents in ESMS has also risen significantly since Week 51, with at least 50 incidents reported per week in Weeks 52 and 01, totaling more than 600 cases, half of which involved healthcare professionals over the past two weeks (unconsolidated data). In hospitals, new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients reported at the regional level increased in Week 01, for the second consecutive week. At the same time, the number of new admissions to critical care units was rising in Week 01. The number of new deaths, meanwhile, remained stable compared to the previous week. The rise in the number of hospitalizations and critical care admissions is also observed at the national level, significantly increasing the strain on hospital care.
Regarding vaccination coverage, the booster dose has been administered to 46% of the regional population. Coverage remains higher among older adults (79% among those aged 75 and older, 84% among those aged 65–74). As for nursing homes, 71% of residents have received a booster dose.

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis epidemic among children under 2: The Pays de la Loire region has been in the epidemic phase for bronchiolitis since Week 41, marking the 13th consecutive week. Indicators of healthcare utilization (emergency department visits and SOS Médecins calls) for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age have been gradually decreasing since Week 49, following a peak in activity observed in Week 48. In Week 01, healthcare utilization returned to levels comparable to, or even slightly lower than, those observed at the start of the epidemic. For the first week, RSV isolates reported by the virology laboratories at the Nantes and Angers university hospitals decreased in Week 01 at each laboratory. If this trend is confirmed next week following two weeks of increased activity after the end of the school holidays, the region will likely enter the post-epidemic phase of bronchiolitis in Week 02.

Influenza and influenza-like illness

The Pays de la Loire region has been in the pre-epidemic phase for influenza since Week 51. Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness and influenza A isolates reported by the virology laboratories at the Nantes and Angers university hospitals decreased in Week 01 compared to Week 52, while SOS Médecins calls for influenza-like illness increased, remaining at a moderate level. The number of non-COVID-19 acute respiratory infection (ARI) outbreaks reported in long-term care facilities also remained low. Furthermore, as of January 11, 16 severe cases of influenza had been admitted to intensive care units in the region.