Key Points

COVID-19

• In the Hauts-de-France region, during the period from January 25 to 31, 2021, with nearly 13,000 new cases diagnosed in week 4, the number of new cases remained stable at a very high level amid a regional and national increase in the prevalence of variants of concern circulating in the community.

• While the situation appears stable at the regional level, at the subregional level, incidence continues to rise in the Nord department and in several areas of the region where an intensification and spread of viral circulation is observed.

• Pressure on healthcare capacity stabilized at a high level in Week 4, but the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 in the region remains very high, and the occupancy rate by COVID-19 patients remains high in the region’s general hospital wards, intensive care units, and long-term care facilities. The number of new deaths among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 has remained very high for several weeks and increased in the Nord department in Week 4. A significant excess mortality (+30%) from all causes continues to be observed at the regional level and particularly affects the elderly.

• In Hauts-de-France, 12,726 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were diagnosed from January 25 to 31 (vs. 12,496 cases during the period of January 18–24, 2021), representing a regional incidence rate that remains stable at a very high level and is estimated at 213 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Week 4. The positivity rate remains above the 5% alert threshold amid a slight increase in the testing rate (+7% regionally compared to the previous week). In week 4, there was a continued rise in the incidence rate among those under 20 and stability at a high level in other age groups.

• COVID-19 Vaccination: In Hauts-de-France, as of February 2, 2021, 116,751 people had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 9,698 people had received two doses and are considered fully vaccinated (data by date of injection, CNAM COVID-19 Vaccine data, analyzed by Santé publique France). As of that date, an estimated 2.0% of the regional population had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Bronchiolitis

Non-epidemic phase.

• In week S04-2021, bronchiolitis activity was stable compared to the previous week among SOS Médecins and increased in emergency departments, remaining at a moderate level for both sources. A few respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) were isolated in patients hospitalized at the Amiens and Lille university hospitals. The circulation of other respiratory viruses (rhinovirus and enterovirus) was increasing compared to the previous week, at a moderate level. Over the weekend of January 30–31, activity in the Bronchiolitis Networks (RB) was slightly higher for RB 59–62 and stable for RB Picardie, at low levels significantly lower than those observed during the same period in previous years.

• The strengthening of and adherence to the preventive measures currently in effect in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are likely contributing to the decrease in transmission of other respiratory viruses. Nevertheless, in recent weeks, the regional upward trend in healthcare utilization indicators should prompt vigilance in light of the significant increase in bronchiolitis activity in Île-de-France, a region neighboring Hauts-de-France. An epidemic of bronchiolitis that is delayed or occurring later than usual due to the COVID-19 wave in October–November 2020 cannot be ruled out—a phenomenon that was observed in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia) following the COVID-19 wave.

Influenza

Non-epidemic phase.

• Since the resumption of influenza surveillance, no influenza activity has been observed in calls to SOS Médecins or emergency departments. The incidence of influenza-like illness estimated by the Sentinelles network was stable in week S04-2021, at a low level. No influenza virus has yet been isolated in patients hospitalized at the Lille and Amiens university hospitals. The influenza vaccination campaign is still ongoing, and given the current absence of influenza activity in mainland France and the region, it is still time for those eligible for vaccination to get vaccinated.

Gastroenteritis

Low activity.

• Activity reported by SOS Médecins for gastroenteritis has been stable for the past two weeks among children under 5 and all age groups. It has increased slightly in emergency departments, though remains at a low level and is currently significantly lower than in previous years. This is likely due to the strengthening of hygiene measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was slightly higher in week S04-2021. No enteric viruses were isolated in patients hospitalized at the Lille and Amiens university hospitals.