France is currently experiencing a significant increase in respiratory illnesses as the new school season begins, with a notable rise in hospitalizations among older adults. In response, many hospitals have activated emergency protocols to manage the surge in patients. Regions such as Morbihan and Var are particularly impacted, with facilities implementing crisis management strategies, including opening extra beds and reinstating mask mandates due to the alarming number of cases linked to respiratory infections.
France Faces Respiratory Crisis This Back-to-School Season
This back-to-school season, France is grappling with a surge in respiratory illnesses. The latest epidemiological bulletin from Public Health France, released on January 2, highlights a significant rise in acute respiratory infections for the week ending December 29. According to the report, these infections are affecting individuals across all age groups, with a substantial number of hospitalizations among those aged 65 and older, who represented nearly two-thirds of hospital admissions due to acute respiratory infections in the final week of 2024.
Hospitals Activate Emergency Protocols
In response to the overwhelming number of patients, numerous hospitals throughout France have enacted their white plan, a crisis management protocol established to ensure adequate patient care, similar to measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. This activation has been especially noted in regions like Morbihan, where hospitals in Vannes, Ploërmel, and Noyal-Pontivy have reported significant pressure on their facilities. In Var, both the Toulon-La Seyne intercommunal hospital and the Hyères hospital center have activated their internal mobilization plans due to the rising number of cases.
The situation has led to various hospitals across the country entering crisis management modes. For instance, the Lisieux hospital center in Normandy has opened additional beds to manage the influx of patients, while the Dijon hospital in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté has reinstated mandatory mask-wearing due to the escalating flu cases. In the last two weeks alone, they’ve seen over 250 hospitalizations linked to respiratory infections, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
As the respiratory illness season intensifies, the white plan allows hospital administrators to mobilize staff, including those on leave, to ensure that patient care remains a top priority. It is crucial for both healthcare professionals and the public to stay informed and prepared as these respiratory epidemics continue to unfold.