Key Points

COVID-19

• In the Hauts-de-France region, with more than 21,800 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed between March 8 and 14 (Week 10), the number of new cases is rising again after a slight decline observed between Weeks 8 and 9. The incidence rate is rising across all age groups, but the increase is much more pronounced among those aged 20–59. Among those over 65, incidence and positivity rates remain very high. At the subregional level, in Aisne, Nord, and Oise, incidence rates are once again rising significantly, while in Somme and Pas-de-Calais, epidemic activity remained stable but at a very high level.

• At the regional level, incidence rates (IR) are now very high across nearly all regions. The significant rise in the epidemic over the past few weeks continues to place heavy pressure on regional healthcare and hospital care capacity, with the number of new ICU admissions for COVID-19 remaining at a very high level, necessitating the medical evacuation of patients to other regions.

• Over the past two weeks, high regional circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the implementation of enhanced containment measures (partial lockdowns on weekends) in the hardest-hit areas (the Dunkirk region and the Pas-de-Calais department). In Week 10, the slowing trend observed in Pas-de-Calais and the decline in the epidemic in the Dunkirk area continue but remain very fragile.

Bronchiolitis

The region is in an epidemic phase for the second consecutive week. With a delay of more than 14 weeks, the bronchiolitis epidemic began in week 08 in Hauts-de-France and in several other regions of metropolitan France. This delayed onset is likely linked to the COVID-19 epidemic and the strengthening of and adherence to preventive measures. The reopening of early childhood care facilities in week 9 is contributing to the accelerated spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses among young children, against a backdrop of relaxed preventive measures and social distancing.