Key points

In week 36, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 went back on the rise after several weeks of improvement in the epidemic situation, while hospital indicators continued to decrease at national level.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Incidence rate on the rise, particularly among the under-20s

  • Increased incidence rate in most regions

  • Continued decline in new hospital admissions across most of the country

• Overseas France:

  • Incidence rate falling in all regions

Variants

• Omicron sub-lineages: BA.5 omnipresent, accounting for 93% of sequences in the week 34 Flash Survey (22 August)

Prevention

• Vaccination on 13 September 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • Vaccination coverage for the booster shot stable at 74.3% in the population aged 18+ years and 82.4% in the 65+ age group

  • Second booster dose: 28.3% of 60-79 year-olds (representing 33.9% of those eligible given the date of their last injection) and 36.1% of people aged 80+ (47.4% of those eligible)

• Given the acceleration in circulation of SARS-CoV-2, compliance with the combined measures remains necessary:

  • staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations, including the second booster dose for the elderly;

  • self-isolation in case of a positive test for COVID-19 and/or symptoms;

  • continued application of precautionary measures, including wearing a mask, particularly around vulnerable people and in enclosed areas favourable to transmission (especially public transport and large gatherings), as well as frequent hand washing and ventilation of enclosed spaces.