Key points

In week 52, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 accelerated dramatically due to the very rapid progression of the Omicron variant and hospital admissions increased.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Very sharp increase in the incidence rate* in all age groups

  • Incidence rate highest among 20-29 year-olds (>3,600/100,000 inhabitants) and 30-39 year olds (>2,900)

  • Rise in new hospital admissions more pronounced in the under 40s, especially the 0-9 age group

• Overseas France: Hospital admission rates were high and rising in Mayotte, French Guiana and Reunion Island.

Variants

• 74% of screened tests showed a profile compatible with the Omicron variant in week 52

• Omicron accounted for 49% of the interpretable sequences in the Flash Survey of 20 December for week 51

Prevention

• Vaccination on 4 January 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 77.2% of the French population had received a complete primary vaccination series (vs 77.0% on 28/12/21)

  • 48.4% of the 18+ age group (representing 59.4% of those eligible) and 72.9% of the 65+ age group (82.4% of those eligible) had received a booster shot

• Importance of combining measures: full vaccination series with a booster at 3 months, compliance with preventive measures including wearing masks and reducing contacts, along with other precautionary recommendations such as frequent ventilation of enclosed spaces, working from home and adherence to contact tracing.