Key Points

COVID-19

In S06, indicators regarding SARS-CoV-2 circulation and the impact on healthcare provision were declining but remained at high levels, while the spread of more transmissible variants continued.

In terms of viral circulation, incidence and positivity rates continued to decline, though they remained at high levels. People aged 75 and older, who are at higher risk of severe disease, still showed high indicators, though these were clearly declining. This observation, also noted at the national level, could result from a decrease in the proportion of people aged 65 and older among high-risk contacts since the beginning of the year. Increased vaccination coverage could be a second possible explanation.

The number of reported clusters in care facilities, which had risen sharply since the start of 2021, was declining in recent weeks. The number of COVID-19 cases in the region’s long-term care facilities (ESMS/EHPAD), also significantly higher since the start of the year, remained at a high level.

In urban areas, SOS Médecins’ activity for suspected Covid-19 cases remained at a moderate and stable level in Week 6. Emergency room visits for the same reason were decreasing at the regional level. Finally, the weekly number of hospitalizations of Covid-19 patients was down moderately in week 6 compared to week 5 at the regional level, while remaining at a high level, and the number of intensive care admissions was also decreasing, albeit less markedly.

Gastroenteritis

After a sharp increase, SOS Médecins calls for gastroenteritis have remained stable at a moderate level since early January across all age groups, while emergency room visits remain at low levels.

Bronchiolitis

The Pays de la Loire region has entered a pre-epidemic phase for bronchiolitis among children under two years of age. A sharp increase in calls to SOS Médecins was observed in week S06, while emergency room visits and RSV isolations have remained stable at moderate levels for the past four weeks.