Key points

In week 49, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 continued to increase, although less markedly, with a slight decrease in positivity rate at national level. While the overall incidence rate was on the rise, it was declining in the under-20 age group, with a trend towards stabilisation or more moderate levels of increase in other age groups. Hospital admissions and deaths remained on the rise.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Incidence rates for all tests combined still rising throughout the country, but less markedly in most regions

  • Contrasting situation in hospitals, where admissions continue to rise in more than half of French regions

  • Number of deaths rising

• Overseas France:

  • Incidence rate and hospital admission rate increasing in Reunion Island

Variants

• Omicron sub-lineages: BA.5 omnipresent, accounting for 92% of sequences in the week 48 Flash Survey (28 November)

• Among BA.5 sub-lineages, BQ.1.1 continues to rise (62% in the Flash Survey for week 48 vs 60% in week 47)

Prevention

• Vaccination on 12 December 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 11.4% of 60-79 year-olds had received a booster dose for the Omicron variant (representing 12.6% of those eligible), while 33.4% of this age group is considered protected by vaccination;

  • 14.0% of 80+ year-olds had received a booster dose for the Omicron variant (16.0% of those eligible), while 16.7% of this age group is considered protected by vaccination.

• The active circulation SARS-CoV-2 and winter viruses in the run-up to the end-of-year festivities calls for increased compliance with preventive measures:

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

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

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