Key Points

COVID-19

• For the first time since the sharp increases observed starting in late December, viral circulation has slowed and the incidence rate has dropped slightly (-5%) but remains very high at >5,000 per 100,000 inhabitants.

• Hospital indicators were also declining, but levels remain high.

• The Omicron variant accounts for 98% of cases in Q4 2022. In addition to the BA.1 sublineage, which is the most commonly identified in Réunion, BA.2 sequences have also been identified.

Influenza

In Réunion, the number of emergency department visits for influenza-like illness remained stable this week (7 visits). One hospitalization was reported, and there were no intensive care admissions in Week 4 of 2022. No positive influenza samples were identified by hospital virological surveillance in Week 4 of 2022, compared to 1 in Week 3 of 2022. Influenza surveillance indicators remain at baseline levels during this time of year, when the influenza epidemic has ended.

Bronchiolitis

In Réunion, emergency department visits due to bronchiolitis among children under two years of age have been steadily declining for several weeks. Surveillance indicators are at baseline levels. Réunion is not currently experiencing a bronchiolitis epidemic.