Key Points

COVID-19

In the Hauts-de-France region, the level of the epidemic remains very high, even though the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 decreased in
week 45 for the first time since this summer. This decrease is significant in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments, which were the first
and hardest hit by the resurgence of the epidemic in September. In the Nord department, the proportion of SOS Médecins calls related to
COVID-19 is also decreasing.

The impact of this slowdown is already being felt on hospital care capacity, but the daily numbers of hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units remain high. The number of hospital deaths among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is still rising, reflecting the virus’s continued intense circulation in the region and the need for everyone to remain vigilant to curb its spread in the long term.

At this stage, we cannot attribute this favorable trend to the curfew or the recently implemented lockdown, but it is possible
that this trend is partly the result of the cumulative effect of all the measures taken since late September, to which we must add the possible role of the All Saints’ Day holidays (October 17 to November 1).

Bronchiolitis

Activity for bronchiolitis in week S45 was slightly higher among SOS Médecins associations and stable in emergency departments, remaining at a moderate level for both sources. The rates of consultation for bronchiolitis at SOS Médecins and in emergency departments are lower than those observed during the same period in previous seasons. In 2019, week S45 marked the start of the bronchiolitis epidemic.

No respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was isolated in patients hospitalized at the Lille University Hospital; the circulation of rhinoviruses and enteroviruses was low. Data from the Amiens University Hospital were not available for week S45. Activity in the region’s two Bronchiolitis Networks was stable and at a moderate level, lower than that observed during the same period in previous years. The preventive measures currently in place appear to be having an impact on RSV transmission. Continued surveillance of bronchiolitis will help confirm this trend.

Gastroenteritis

In week S45, activity for gastroenteritis was stable at a low level at SOS Médecins and emergency departments. Compared to previous seasons, the level of GEA cases is significantly lower, which may be attributed to the strengthening of hygiene measures in the context of the pandemic or to different patterns of healthcare utilization related to the COVID-19 epidemic. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network increased slightly in week 45 and also remains lower than in previous seasons. Among patients hospitalized in week 45, no enteric viruses were isolated at the virology laboratories of the Lille University Hospital (CHRU). Data from the Amiens University Hospital (CHU) are not available for week 45.

Influenza and Influenza-Like Illnesses

Since the resumption of influenza surveillance in week S-40, visits for influenza-like illness to SOS Médecins and emergency departments have remained stable at a low level, lower than that observed during the same period in previous seasons for visits to SOS Médecins. The incidence of influenza-like illness estimated by the Sentinelles network was decreasing in week S45. Since surveillance resumed, no influenza virus has been isolated in patients hospitalized at the Amiens University Hospital (data not yet consolidated for week S45) and the Lille University Hospital. The flu vaccination campaign is underway, and given the current absence of flu activity in mainland France and in the region, there is still plenty of time for those eligible for vaccination to get vaccinated.