Key points

Bronchiolitis

• In hospitals and in the community, indicators were declining during week 51. This decrease in bronchiolitis-related activity was part of a downward trend that had been ongoing for several weeks. The peak of the epidemic occurred between weeks 47 and 48.

• In hospitals, children under one year of age continued to account for the vast majority of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis.

Flu-like syndromes

• In week 51, compared to week 50:

  • The number of medical visits for influenza-like illness continued to rise rapidly in private practice (SOS Médecins) as well as in hospitals. The number of consultations increased by 38% in private practice and by 71% in emergency departments.

  • The number of hospitalizations following visits to the emergency room also rose, with a 79% increase. The spread of the epidemic was particularly rapid among those under 15 years of age, with a 92% increase in emergency room visits and a 170% increase in hospitalizations following an emergency room visit. During this holiday season and time of family gatherings, there is concern that the epidemic may shift toward older age groups, who are at higher risk of severe illness.

COVID-19

• SOS Médecins: In Week 51, the number of COVID-19-related procedures remained stable across all age groups but increased among those over 65.

• Emergency department visits: In Week 51, a decrease in the number of visits and the number of visits followed by hospitalization for COVID-19 across all age groups.

• Clusters of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in long-term care facilities: In Week 51, the number of ARI episodes with a COVID-19 diagnosis reported by long-term care facilities (primarily nursing homes) stabilized.

• SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater: overall downward trend in the level of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in wastewater in week 51. Circulation intensity remains low.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE)

• In week 51:

  • Increase in the number of SOS Médecins calls for AGE, particularly among those under 15 years of age (+39%). Indicators in the Sentinelles network remained stable.

  • Increase in emergency department visits and visits followed by hospitalization across all age groups. The increase was more pronounced among those under 15, with a 17% rise in emergency department visits and a 24% rise in hospitalizations following emergency department visits compared to week 50. The proportion of visits for AGE