Key Points

COVID-19

• In Hauts-de-France, during Week 16—the analysis period covering the second week of school vacation—incidence rates remain at a very high level and were estimated at 358 cases per 100,000 residents of all ages, and at 225 cases per 100,000 residents among those aged 65 and older. Currently, more than one in ten people tested is positive for SARS-CoV-2, indicating that community transmission of the virus remains very active throughout the region and that testing protocols are likely now more focused on symptomatic individuals or those at high risk of infection.

• In Week 16, there was a slowdown in new admissions to general hospital wards and a stabilization of admissions to critical care units, despite the epidemic pressure on hospital services remaining extremely high. In long-term care facilities (ESMS), the number of new cases among residents and staff continues to decline, as does the number of new deaths and hospitalizations of residents in long-term care facilities or hospitals.

• Given the still very high level of epidemic activity, adherence to preventive measures and precautions remains the key to curbing the transmission of the virus between people, in addition to the ongoing vaccination campaign.

Bronchiolitis

Transition to the post-epidemic phase after 7 consecutive weeks in the epidemic phase.

Mortality

At the regional level, a significant excess of all-cause mortality has been observed since week S43-2020 among people aged 65 and older and across all age groups. At the subregional level, since week S08-2021, a significant excess mortality has continued to be observed in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments among those aged 65 and older and all age groups.