Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, a continued decline in SARS-CoV-2 transmission indicators has been observed over the past two weeks, indicating a slowdown in viral transmission across the region. The trend for other epidemiological indicators was also downward or stable in weeks 18–19.

Incidence and positivity rates across all age groups were decreasing in S19, while the testing rate remained stable at the regional level, with disparities among departments. All age groups (except those under 15) were affected by these decreases in incidence and positivity rates, with the 15–30 age group remaining the most affected.

Among the positive RT-PCR tests that were screened, the results showed a slight slowdown in the spread of the 20I/501Y.V1 variant in recent weeks, which nevertheless remained the overwhelming majority (82% of samples). The proportion of the 20H/501Y.V2 or 20J/501Y.V3 variants remained relatively stable and low at the regional level (3% of samples), with continued significant variation across departments.
The number of reported clusters in communities remained stable in Week 18, with clusters in schools and workplaces accounting for the majority of the most recently reported clusters. A decrease in the number of reported outbreaks in ESMS/Ehpad facilities has also been observed in recent weeks.

In urban areas, the number of SOS Médecins medical consultations for suspected Covid-19 has remained generally stable over the past 3 weeks, while the number of emergency room visits for the same reason continued to decline in Week 19. In hospitals, the weekly number of new Covid-19 hospitalizations reported at the regional level decreased in weeks 18 and 19, as did the number of reported admissions to critical care units, though these remained at a moderate level.

Gastroenteritis

A marked increase in emergency department visits and SOS Médecins calls for gastroenteritis in weeks 18 and 19, particularly among children under 5 years of age.

Bronchiolitis

End of the bronchiolitis epidemic among children under two years of age in the Pays de la Loire region. Healthcare utilization for bronchiolitis and RSV isolations returned to low levels in Week 19.