Key Points

COVID-19

In Week 11, a further increase in SARS-CoV-2 circulation was observed in Normandy, with an incidence rate of 1,115 per 100,000 inhabitants (+38%), remaining at high epidemic levels. The positivity rate was rising (+4.3 percentage points), as was the testing rate (+19%). The increase in the incidence rate was observed across all departments and for all age groups.
The proportion of D1 samples (strong suspicion of Omicron) was 94.1%. Hospital
activity indicators (incidence and prevalence) were rising for both hospitalizations and critical care. Regarding pre-hospital activity, the number of emergency room visits and the number of procedures performed by SOS Médecins were on the rise. The number of deaths in hospitals was decreasing.
As of March 21, vaccination coverage among Normans aged 12 and older was stable, with 74.1% of them having received a booster dose.

Influenza

Epidemic phase. In week 11, the number of emergency department visits continued to rise sharply and exceeded the peak observed in 2019–2020. Activity and the number of flu-related consultations at SOS Médecins were again rising sharply and exceeded the peak observed in 2019–2020. The incidence rate of influenza-like illness reported by the Sentinelles network was slightly decreasing. The number of isolated influenza viruses was increasing (56 at Caen University Hospital and 278 at Rouen University Hospital), with a majority of type A viruses and co-circulation of AH3N2 and AH1N1 viruses. Two type B viruses were isolated in week 11.

Bronchiolitis

Non-epidemic phase. In week 11, emergency department visits for bronchiolitis were slightly decreasing and activity was low. The number of hospitalizations following an emergency department visit was increasing. The number of SOS Médecins consultations for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age was stable, and activity was low. The number of RSV isolates in hospitalized patients was low and still showing a slight increase compared to Week 10 (1 at Caen University Hospital and 7 at Rouen University Hospital). Over the weekend of March 19–20, 2022, the number of children seen by the Normandy Bronchiolitis Network (32 children) and the number of physical therapy sessions performed (46 sessions) were up compared to the previous weekend.

Acute Gastroenteritis

Activity for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups in emergency departments was stable in week 11 and remained at a high level, exceeding that of the 2019–2020 season. The number of AGE consultations at SOS Médecins was decreasing, though activity levels remained high and similar to those of 2019–2020. The incidence of acute diarrhea estimated by the Sentinelles network was decreasing and at a level equivalent to that of 2019–2020.