Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has stabilized in S50 for the second consecutive week. Epidemiological indicators have stabilized at a high level, following several weeks of decline after the peak of the second wave passed.

All virological indicators remained generally stable in week 50 for the second consecutive week, particularly in terms of incidence rates and positivity rates. This stabilization is observed across all age groups, but indicators remain higher among those aged 75 and older. The weekly number of reported clusters remained stable in week 50 compared to week 49, with the proportion of reports from nursing homes (Ehpad) still accounting for the largest share. A slowdown in the decline of the weekly number of reported Covid-19 cases in ESMS/EHPADs was observed in Week 49, with numbers remaining at a high level (Week 50 data currently being consolidated). In urban areas, the number of SOS Médecins calls for suspected Covid-19 remained stable in Week 50 compared to Week 49, as did the number of emergency room visits for suspected Covid-19 in hospitals. The weekly number of new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients and the number of new ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients stabilized in the region in Week 50, remaining at a high level, particularly for new hospitalizations.

As in Week 48, no excess mortality from all causes and across all age groups has been observed at the regional level in Week 49, following significant excesses observed from Week 45 to Week 47, particularly among people aged 65 and older. At the departmental level, positivity and incidence rates remained generally stable in week 50 across all departments, but the indicators are higher in the inland departments (Sarthe, Mayenne, and Maine-et-Loire) than in the coastal departments (Loire-Atlantique and Vendée). Sarthe continues to have the highest virological indicators in the region, with an incidence rate of 136.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in Week 50. Similarly, the number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 remains high in Sarthe in Week 50, as does the number of new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients.

Bronchiolitis

The Pays de la Loire region is not currently experiencing an epidemic of bronchiolitis among children under two years of age. SOS Médecins calls and emergency room visits for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age remain at a low level, and to date, no active circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes bronchiolitis outbreaks, has been observed in the region.