Key Points

COVID-19

• In the Pays de la Loire region, the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has once again stabilized in Week 52, with most epidemiological indicators remaining at high levels.

• All virological indicators changed in Week 52, linked to a significant increase in testing rates during the holiday season. A slight decrease in the incidence rate was observed, accompanied by a more pronounced decrease in the positivity rate, linked to a sharp increase in testing activity, particularly among asymptomatic individuals. People aged 75 and older continue to have the highest indicators.

• The weekly number of reported clusters decreased in Week 52, with residential care facilities for the elderly (Ehpad) still accounting for the largest proportion. A slight increase in the weekly number of reported Covid-19 cases in ESMS/EHPAD facilities was also observed in Week 51, remaining at a moderate level (Week 52 data currently being consolidated).

• In urban areas, the number of SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 stabilized in Week 52 compared to the previous week. In hospitals, the number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 also stabilized in Week 52. The weekly number of new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients decreased in Week 52, while the number of new ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients remained stable.

• In Week 51, no significant excess mortality from all causes and across all age groups has been observed at the regional level so far.

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 department visits for bronchiolitis in children under two years of age remain at a low level, and to date, no active circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes bronchiolitis epidemics, has been observed in the region.