Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 50, viral circulation continues to rise in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, though at a slower rate than in previous weeks. The increase in new hospitalizations, critical care admissions, and hospital deaths is also continuing, albeit at a less pronounced pace, but pressure on hospitals is mounting.

• The regional incidence rate reached 731 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Week 50, an increase of 7%. It is higher than the national rate. Incidence is rising among those aged 20–59 and declining among those under 20 and those aged 60 and older. Nine out of twelve departments have an incidence rate exceeding 600 per 100,000 inhabitants. Ardèche (962 per 100,000) and Drôme (1,127 per 100,000) remain the departments in the region with the highest incidence rates.

• Visits to emergency rooms have increased by 7%, new hospitalizations by 5%, and new admissions to intensive care units by 10%, exacerbating strain on hospitals.

• As the end-of-year holidays approach, amid the current high viral circulation and the risk associated with the Omicron variant, first-dose vaccination, booster shots, and strict adherence to preventive measures remain essential to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and protect the healthcare system.

Bronchiolitis

During Week 50 (December 13–19, 2021), in hospital settings, according to data reported by emergency departments in the Oscour® network, the bronchiolitis outbreak among children under 2 years of age continues in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In Week 50, 627 emergency department visits for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age were recorded, representing 18.7% of visits in this age group (19.3% in Week 49). Of these visits, 253 were followed by hospitalization, resulting in a hospitalization rate of 40.4% for this diagnosis. Hospitalizations for bronchiolitis accounted for 47.5% of all hospitalizations among children under 2 years of age in Week 50, an increase compared to the previous week (45.5% in Week 49).

Within the region, pressure on hospitals is trending slightly downward but remains higher in the Eastern sector* (55.9% in Week 50). The epidemic trend remains comparable to previous seasons (excluding the 2020–2021 season), with a lead of a few weeks. Currently, the decline in the incidence rate that began in Week 49 is continuing; this trend remains to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Influenza

During Week 50 (W50, December 13–19, 2021), in hospital settings, according to data reported by emergency departments in the Oscour® network, visits across all age groups for a diagnosis of influenza/influenza-like illness were on the rise compared to previous weeks in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In W50, 122 emergency department visits for influenza/influenza-like illness were recorded, representing 0.30% of visits in this age group (0.15% in W49). Of these visits, 8 were followed by hospitalization, resulting in a hospitalization rate of 7% for this diagnosis. Hospitalizations for influenza/influenza-like illness accounted for 0.1% of all hospitalizations in Week 50, an increase compared to the previous week (0.05% in Week 49).

In private practice, according to data provided by the SOS Médecins associations, the upward trend in visits for influenza/influenza-like illness continues in the region. In Week 50, 238 cases of influenza/influenza-like illness were recorded (201 in Week 49), representing 2.8% of total activity (2.4% in Week 49).