Key points

In week 44, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 slowed further, although there was an upward trend in positivity rates from antigen tests. New hospital admissions and the number of deaths continued to decrease.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Continued decrease in the corrected incidence rates from antigen tests, although less marked than in the previous week

  • Rise in positivity rate based on antigen tests in the under-50 age group

  • Decrease in hospital admissions and deaths

• Overseas France:

  • Corrected incidence rates from antigen tests rising at low levels in the majority of territories

Variants

• Omicron sub-lineages: BA.5 omnipresent, accounting for 92% of sequences in the week 42 Flash Survey (17 October)*

• Among the BA.5 sub-lineages, BQ.1.1 continues to rise (28% vs 20% in the week 41 Flash Survey)

Prevention

• Vaccination on 7 November 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 74.5% of the population aged 18+ and 82.6% of the population aged 65+ had received at least one booster dose

  • 33.9% of 60-79 year-olds (representing 39.9% of those who are eligible given the date of their last injection) and 40.4% of 80+ year-olds (52.6% of those who are eligible) had received a second booster dose

• Given the ongoing active circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the approach of the winter season, compliance with the combined measures remains essential:

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

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

  • continued application of preventive measures, including wearing a face mask – particularly around people at risk of developing complications, as well as in enclosed spaces favourable to transmission (e.g. public transport) or during large gatherings – hand washing and ventilation of enclosed spaces.

*W43 data uninterpretable.