Key Points

COVID-19

In the Hauts-de-France region, during the period from March 15 to 21, 2021 (week 11), the number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections has risen again compared to the previous week, and the 20I/501Y.V1 variant is now the predominant strain in the region. The spread of the epidemic is particularly evident in the 10- to 59-year-old age group, with rising incidence rates from testing and positivity rates stabilizing at a high level. Among those over 65, incidence rates and positivity rates have stabilized over the same analysis period. At the departmental level, in week 11, incidence rates (IR) for all ages are once again rising significantly in Nord, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, and Somme.

The significant rise in cases over the past few weeks continues to place heavy pressure on the region’s healthcare and hospital care capacity. Visits to emergency rooms and the number of new hospitalizations and ICU admissions for COVID-19 are on the rise. The number of patients currently being treated in the region’s intensive care units exceeds the numbers observed at the peaks of the first two waves (April and November 2020), necessitating the medical evacuation of patients to other regions. The number of new hospital deaths also remains at a very high level, with more than 200 deaths recorded again in week 11.

Since March 20, the entire Hauts-de-France region has been subject to new, sweeping measures to curb the epidemic. These measures were implemented too recently to see an impact in the region at this time.

Bronchiolitis

The region is in an epidemic phase for the third 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.

Mortality

At the regional level, a significant excess of all-cause mortality has been observed since week 2020-43, across all age groups and among people aged 65 and older.