Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, a resurgence in SARS-CoV-2 transmission was observed in Week 53, with hospital indicators remaining at high levels for the most part.

All virological indicators changed in week 53, against a backdrop of a sharp decline in testing following the significant increase observed in week 52 before the Christmas holidays. An increase in the incidence rate was observed, associated with a more pronounced increase in the positivity rate. While this increase is partly due to a resurgence in the proportion of symptomatic individuals among those tested, it is also due to an increase in viral circulation, which was more pronounced among those under 15 years of age. The weekly number of reported clusters remained stable in Week 53, with care homes for the elderly (Ehpad) still accounting for the largest proportion. The weekly number of reported Covid-19 outbreaks in ESMS/EHPADs has been generally stable in recent weeks, remaining at a moderate level (Week 53 data currently being consolidated).

In urban areas, the number of SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 remained stable in Week 53 compared to previous weeks. In hospitals, the number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 is experiencing a slow and gradual decline. The weekly number of new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients and the number of new ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients remained generally stable in Week 53, masking sometimes differing trends across departments.
In Week 52, no significant excess mortality across all causes and age groups has been observed at the regional level so far (the last week with significant excess mortality was Week 50).

At the departmental level, trends are generally similar to those observed at the regional level, with a moderate increase in the incidence rate and a more pronounced increase in the positivity rate, despite a decrease in the testing rate. The inland departments (Sarthe, Maine-et-Loire, and Mayenne) still have higher virological indicators than the coastal departments, but the differences are narrowing. Furthermore, the number of new ICU admissions increased in Week 53 in Loire-Atlantique and decreased in Maine-et-Loire, while remaining stable in the other departments.

Invasive meningococcal infections

Ten cases of invasive meningococcal infection were reported in 2020, compared with 18 to 28 cases per year over the previous three years. No cases of serogroup C meningococcal disease were reported, possibly due to improved vaccination coverage among infants since 2018.

Bronchiolitis

The Pays de la Loire region is not currently experiencing an epidemic of bronchiolitis among children under 2 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 epidemics, has been observed in the region.