Key points

In week 17, the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 decreased further in French territories, with confirmation of a drop in hospital admissions; virological and hospital indicators nevertheless remained at high levels.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Sharp fall in virological indicators across all age groups

  • Incidence rate approaching 500/100,000

  • Positivity rate still high but decreasing

  • Drop in new hospital admissions

• Overseas France:

  • Virological and hospital indicators remain high in Reunion Island despite the first signs of decrease

Variants

• The BA.2 sub-lineage of Omicron accounted for 99% of interpretable sequences in the Flash Survey for week 16 (19/4/22).

Prevention

• Vaccination on 2 May 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 83.8% of people aged 65 years and older had received a complete primary vaccination series and a booster shot

  • In the 60-79 age group, 3.9% had received a second booster shot (representing 34.1% of those eligible)

  • In the 80+ age group, 15.1% had received a second booster shot (representing 22.3% of those eligible)

• Despite recent declines, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses remain in active circulation, meaning the following measures remain necessary:

  • Self-isolation in case of symptoms and a positive test for COVID-19

  • Respect of individual precautions, such as wearing a mask (especially around vulnerable people and in enclosed spaces), washing hands and airing enclosed spaces regularly