Key points

In week 22, the virological indicators increased after declining for several weeks, although hospital indicators continued to fall nationally. Incidence and positivity rates remained particularly high in Martinique.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Incidence and positivity rates rising in the majority of regions

  • Less striking reduction in the hospitalisation rate

• Overseas France:

  • Virological indicators very high and rising in Martinique

  • Renewed increase in the incidence rate in French Guiana confirmed

Variants

• Omicron BA.2 sub-lineage dominant: 80% of interpretable sequences in the week 21 Flash Survey (23 May)

• Detection of BA.4 (1.1%) and BA.5 (18.0%) on the rise according to the week 21 Flash Survey

• Increased presence of the mutation in L452 position in screening (27% in week 22), in connection with the increase in certain Omicron sub-lineages, including BA.4 and BA.5.

Prevention

• Vaccination on 6 June 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • Vaccination coverage for the booster shot reached 74.4% among adults over 18 years of age and 84.3% in the 65+ age group.

  • Only 31.0% of 60-79 year-olds and 28.4% of those aged 80 and over eligible for the second booster shot have actually received it.

• CoviPrev Survey wave 34 (9-16 May 2022)

  • Continued decline in the regular use of preventive measures, particularly wearing masks

• With the increasing circulation of SARS-CoV-2, adopting combined measures is essential, particularly to protect the most vulnerable populations:

  • It remains important to self-isolate in the event of symptoms or a positive test for COVID-19

  • It is crucial to apply individual precautions against infection, including wearing a mask (especially in closed areas, at large gatherings or around vulnerable people), hand washing and frequent ventilation of enclosed spaces