Key points

In week 39, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 increased significantly throughout metropolitan France, particularly among the elderly. Hospital indicators also continued to rise.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Continued rise in incidence rate, except in the under-20 age group

  • Sharp increase in incidence rate among the elderly

  • Rise in hospital admissions and deaths

• Overseas France:

  • Incidence rate in decline across all territories

Variants

• Omicron sub-lineages: BA.5 omnipresent, accounting for 91% of sequences in the week 38 Flash Survey (19 September)

Prevention

• Vaccination on 3 October 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 74.4% of the population aged 18+ and 82.5% of the 65+ age group had received a first booster dose

  • 29.8% of 60-79 year-olds (representing 35.3% of those eligible given the date of their last injection) and 37.3% of people aged 80+ (48.8% of those eligible) had received a second booster dose

• CoviPrev Survey wave 35 (12 to 19 September):

  • Further decline in application of protective measures, particularly wearing a face mask

  • Less than half of those at risk for severe forms of influenza intend to get vaccinated for influenza and COVID-19

• Given the intensified circulation of SARS-CoV-2, compliance with the combined measures remains crucial:

  • up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster dose of a bivalent vaccine (protecting against the original strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2) for those eligible and already vaccinated with a primary course;

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

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