Summary

Nationwide, the number of deaths recorded by civil registry offices returned to within the usual range of fluctuation across all age groups during weeks 4 and 5 (February 22–March 4, 2018). In week 6 (February 5–11), the number of deaths rose slightly among adults and significantly exceeded the expected number of deaths among those aged 15–64 (at the threshold limit).

At the regional level, Occitanie recorded higher-than-expected death counts in week 6 (February 5–11) among those aged 15–64 (for the seventh consecutive week). However, the counts were at the threshold limit in weeks 5 and 6.

Over the period from December 4, 2017, to February 4, 2018, excess mortality across all age groups is estimated at 7.3%, representing approximately 7,900 additional deaths (estimate extrapolated to the whole of France). When analyzed by age group, the excess is estimated at 10% among those aged 15–64 and 6% among those aged 65 and older. The regions most affected by this excess mortality across all age groups are Occitanie (+14%), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (+12%), Corsica (+15%), and Île-de-France (+10%).

At the European level, among the countries participating in the EuroMomo network (www.euromomo.eu), the decline in mortality has continued since the beginning of the year following an increase noted in December. The observed number of deaths among those aged 65 and older remains significantly higher than expected for this period. The excess mortality has primarily affected Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Scotland, in addition to France.

These initial observations should be interpreted with caution, as the data are not yet consolidated due to the usual transmission delays. As a reminder, these analyses are based on civil registry data and do not contain any information on the medical causes of death.

According to data from electronic certification, 1,853 deaths were recorded during week 8 (February 19–25).