Summary

In week 38 (September 14–20, 2020), total activity at SOS Médecins clinics saw a sharp decline among children (-26%, or 7,733 fewer visits) and an increase among adults (+9%, or 4,286 more visits).

After an increase observed over the past 5 weeks, medical procedures for suspected COVID-19 across all age groups decreased by 4% in Week 38. A total of 6,970 procedures were recorded in Week 38 (vs. 7,266 procedures in Week 37, a decrease of 296 procedures). This decrease mainly concerns children (-31%, or -634 procedures). Among adults, the increase continues, with a 6% rise in procedures compared to Week 37 (or +299 procedures). The share of total activity across all age groups remains stable at 9.5%. This increase is observed in all regions except
Grand-Est, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, Normandy, and Occitanie; in these regions, a moderate increase is observed, ranging from +3% (Grand-Est) to +12% (Normandy). Since the start of surveillance, 98,709 tests for suspected COVID-19 have been performed.

Among other conditions, most indicators are declining among children, while among adults, the rise in respiratory disease indicators continues, including asthma (+32%, or +110 cases), bronchitis (+23%, or +274 cases), pneumonia (+29%, or +80 cases), and upper respiratory tract conditions (+5%, or +435 cases). There is also an increase in trauma cases, which is proportionally higher among children (+17%) than among adults (+6%). Heat-related indicators are also rising, albeit in smaller numbers, with heat-related illness (+21%) and heatstroke (+140%) across all ages, dehydration among those under 15 (+28%), and isolated fever among those aged 75 and older (+28%).

Among the most common conditions, the main increase is in general health deterioration among those aged 75 and older (+17%).