Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, SARS-CoV-2 transmission indicators have continued to decline in recent weeks, confirming the slowdown in viral transmission in the region. In S21, incidence and positivity rates across all age groups were declining, while the testing rate remained generally stable. This trend was observed across all age groups, although those aged 15–30 and 30–45 still had the highest indicators.

Among the positive RT-PCR tests that were screened, the results confirmed a slight slowdown in the spread of the 20I/501Y.V1 (Alpha) variant in recent weeks, although it remains the dominant variant. The proportion of the 20H/501Y.V2 (Beta) or 20J/501Y.V3 (Gamma) variants, meanwhile, remained relatively stable and low at the regional level.

The number of reported clusters in community settings has been generally stable in recent weeks, with clusters in schools now accounting for the majority of recently reported clusters over the past several weeks, while the proportion of clusters in workplaces has seen a sharp decline. The number of clusters in other types of community settings, including nursing homes and long-term care facilities, is now low.

In urban areas, the number of SOS Médecins medical consultations for suspected COVID-19 showed a slight downward trend, while the number of emergency room visits for the same reason stabilized in week 21 after several weeks of consecutive decreases. In hospitals, the weekly number of new Covid-19 hospitalizations reported at the regional level continued to decline, while the number of admissions to critical care units stabilized at a moderate level.

Gastroenteritis

Following the sharp increase observed in Week 18, particularly among children under 5, indicators declined significantly before stabilizing in Week 21, though they remain at a high level.

Bronchiolitis

The outbreak has ended in the region since Week S19. The past few weeks have been marked by a continued decline in SOS Médecins calls, but by a moderate resurgence in emergency room visits. However, no RSV was isolated by Angers University Hospital in Week S21.