Key Points

COVID-19

• In the Pays de la Loire region, virological indicators continued the upward trend that began in Week 46. Hospital indicators for COVID-19 remained stable.

Flu

• In Week 47, an increase in SOS Médecins calls for flu-like symptoms was observed in the Pays de la Loire region. Emergency room visits for flu-like symptoms saw a slight increase, and flu virus isolations remained at a low level. The region is expected to enter the pre-epidemic phase for influenza shortly. Nationally, six regions are now in the pre-epidemic phase of influenza in Week 47, and two are in the epidemic phase (Brittany, Normandy).

Bronchiolitis

• The Pays de la Loire region has been in the bronchiolitis epidemic phase since Week 41.

• In week 47, emergency room visits and hospitalizations for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age continued to rise, reaching very high levels and exceeding those of epidemics since 2011. SOS Médecins calls remained stable in week 47 but at persistently high levels. The number of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) isolates—the virus responsible for winter bronchiolitis epidemics—reported by the virology laboratories at the Nantes and Angers university hospitals in week 47 showed a marked increase.