The three epidemics that hit hospitals at the end of the year will not reach their peak at the same time. The 9th wave of Covid is leveling off, while bronchiolitis has been in decline for two weeks. Conversely, the flu continues to progress, at particularly high levels for this time of year, reports Public Health France on Wednesday.
After having reached levels not seen for more than 10 years, the number of visits to the emergency room and hospitalizations of infants for bronchiolitis were, last week, down for the second week in a row. All regions, however, remain on high alert, with indicators remaining at very high levels.
The peak of the flu “is ahead of us”
Conversely, the flu epidemic is still progressing, at particularly high levels for this time of year. Last week, the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for flu-like illness jumped 84% and 118%, respectively, from the previous week. This sharp increase is visible “in all age groups”, warns Public Health France. All regions of metropolitan France have been in the epidemic phase, the highest level of alert, for two weeks.
The peak of the flu epidemic “is ahead of us”, warned this Wednesday morning the president of the medical commission for the establishment of Public Assistance – Paris Hospitals, Rémi Salomon, on RMC. And the pediatrician to call for “respect barrier gestures”, and in particular to wear the mask in an enclosed place.
This co-circulation of several viruses (influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, etc.) “could have a significant impact in the weeks to come, especially among people at risk in terms of hospitalizations and death”, warns French public health. The body considers “essential that people at risk protect themselves by resorting to vaccination against seasonal flu and Covid-19 as soon as possible”.