The incidence rate, the number of emergency visits, hospitalizations and deaths linked to the flu rose sharply during the week of November 19 to 25, according to the latest report published by Public Health France, this Wednesday 28 December. All regions of the country and all age groups are affected by this epidemic.
Alongside the epidemics of Covid and bronchiolitis, that of influenza is experiencing a sharp increase, according to figures published this Wednesday, December 28, by Public health France. In view of the various indicators, France is still going through the epidemic peak. All regions have been in the epidemic phase, the highest level of alert, for two weeks.
Severe cases on the rise
Flu patients are more and more numerous in France, so much so that they represent more than 40% of hospitalizations during the week of December 19 to 25. Over this period, the number of visits to the emergency room and that of hospitalizations for flu-like illness rose by 52% and 75% respectively, compared to the week of December 12 to 18. The proportion of people aged 65 and over admitted to intensive care and that of 15-64 year olds are substantially similar (42% and 41%), analysis France info.
In just two weeks, the proportion of hospitalizations for influenza went from a “low” level (less than 15%) to a “very high” level. In some regions, such as France’s Islandalmost no beds are available in the intensive care unit.
A “very sharp increase” in the number of deaths
In correlation with the spread of the virus, the death toll from the flu is rising. It reached 2.8% of deaths certified electronically, against 1.3% the previous week. This data is thus “very sharply increasing” and “the highest” since the record epidemic peak of 2018-2019, specifies Public Health France.
From December 19 to 25, nearly 160 deaths “with a mention of influenza as a morbid condition having directly caused or contributed to the death” were recorded, according to The Parisian. This figure had not been so high for at least five years.
5-14 year olds least affected
The incidence rate of the number of consultations for flu-like illness increased by 29% compared to the previous week. The epidemic is progressing in “all age groups”. According to data from the institute, the levels of activity in city medicine and in the hospital are very high, particularly among 15-64 year olds. The indicators seem to stabilize among 5-14 year olds. In total, over the past week, the proportion of flu-like illnesses among SOS Médecins consultations was 25%.