Key points

Bronchiolitis

• In hospitals, there was a decrease in emergency department visits for bronchiolitis and in visits followed by hospitalization compared to week 48. Children under one year of age accounted for 92% of emergency department visits for bronchiolitis among children under two years of age and 96% of visits followed by hospitalization.

• Decrease in calls to SOS Médecins for bronchiolitis among children under two years of age.

Flu-like Illnesses and Acute Respiratory Infections

• The number of healthcare visits for flu-like symptoms continued to rise rapidly in community settings (SOS Médecins) as well as in hospitals. The number of visits increased by 72% in community settings and by 88% in emergency departments. The rise in visits was most pronounced in the under-15 age group, with an increase of 86% in community settings and 115% in emergency departments. The number of hospitalizations following visits to the emergency room also rose sharply, with an increase of 146%. The age group of those over 15 accounted for 82% of hospitalizations. This coincides with an increase in the detection of influenza virus in hospital and community samples, as well as in cases hospitalized for severe influenza in intensive care.

COVID-19

• SOS Médecins: In week 49, a decrease in the number of COVID-19-related procedures across all age groups and stabilization among those over 65.

• Emergency department visits: In week 49, the number of visits for COVID-19 stabilized across all age groups. The number of visits followed by hospitalization also stabilized.

• Clusters of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in long-term care facilities: In week 48, a decrease in the number of ARI episodes with a COVID-19 diagnosis reported by long-term care facilities (primarily nursing homes).

• SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater: the level of circulation continued to show a downward trend in week 49.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE)

• Decrease in the number of SOS Médecins calls for AGE across all age groups. Indicators in the Sentinelles network remained stable.

• Stabilization of emergency department visits and an increase in visits followed by hospitalization for AGE across all age groups and among those under 15 years of age. The proportion of visits for AGE was similar to the previous two years.

• Low activity levels among SOS Médecins associations and in hospital emergency departments.