Key Points

COVID-19

In the Hauts-de-France region, the epidemiological situation continues to improve, with incidence rates now below the enhanced alert threshold (150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and positivity rates below 5%, both at the regional level and across all departments. In week 21, the highest incidence rates were observed in the departments of Oise and Nord. Incidence and positivity rates were declining across all age groups and remained highest among those aged 10–59 in week 21.

Both in the community and in hospitals, the epidemic pressure on the region’s healthcare system is gradually decreasing but remains high, with more than 2,000 patients still hospitalized for COVID-19 and approximately 370 patients still receiving critical care.

The prevalence of variants remains generally stable at the regional level, with the V1 variant circulating predominantly and at a stable rate, and a low proportion of V2 or V3 variants at the regional level. The prevalence of V2 or V3 variants was increasing in the Oise and Somme departments in week 21, requiring heightened vigilance in these departments.

All-cause mortality

At the regional level, a significant excess of all-cause mortality has been observed since week S43-2020 among people of all ages and those over 65 years of age. In recent weeks (weeks 19 and 20), and subject to data consolidation, all-cause mortality across all age groups has been decreasing in the region, falling below the alert threshold for the first time in several months. This trend will need to be reassessed in the coming weeks following data consolidation.