Key points

In week 11, incidence and positivity rates (from SI-DEP virological data) continued to increase but remained at low levels. Indicators for emergency department visits and SOS Médecins consultations were on the rise.
However, hospital admissions were decreasing.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Incidence and positivity rates rising in all age groups and in most regions

  • Hospital admission rate decreasing in most regions

• Overseas France:

  • Incidence and hospital admission rates remaining at very low levels

Variants

• The recombinant XBB was in majority with 71% of sequences in the week 9 Flash Survey (vs 54% in week 8), carried by 56% XBB.1.5 (vs 45%)

• BA.5 and its sub-lineages continued to decrease (20% in the week 9 Flash Survey vs 36% in week 8)

• All Omicron sub-lineages currently identified present similar characteristics

Prevention

• Vaccination on 20 March 2023 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 23.2% of 60-79 year-olds and 25.9% of 80+ year-olds had received a booster dose adapted to the Omicron variant

  • 25.4% of 60-79 year-olds had received a dose of vaccine in the last 6 months and 8.5% of 80+ year-olds in the last 3 months

• Given that SARS-CoV-2 currently remains in active circulation, continued compliance with preventive measures remains recommended:

  • up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster dose of bivalent vaccine (protecting against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals already vaccinated with a primary series;

  • continued application of precautionary measures, particularly in case of a positive test and/or symptoms.