Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, the resurgence of Covid-19 that began in weeks 41 and 42 continued into week 43, with a confirmed impact on the healthcare system and healthcare utilization. Different trends were observed across regions and age groups.

Bronchiolitis

The region has been in an epidemic phase for bronchiolitis since Week 41, as is now the case for almost all of metropolitan France (see map opposite). Healthcare utilization among children under 2 years of age for bronchiolitis continued to rise in Week 43, particularly notably at SOS Médecins. This trend is linked to RSV isolations during the same period—which remained at moderate levels—and is likely partly due to the circulation of rhinovirus.

The circulation of these respiratory viruses was also evident in the increase in SOS Médecins visits and emergency department visits for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) among children under 15 (primarily among those under 5), and to a lesser extent among those aged 15 and older.