Key points
In week 19, virological indicators based on SI-DEP data continued to decrease in a context of very low screening rates. Emergency department visits were down, as were new hospital admissions.
- Metropolitan France:
- Incidence and positivity rates decreasing in most age groups and in all regions
- Hospital admission rate in decline
- Overseas France:
- Incidence and positivity rates* highest in Reunion Island
- Hospital admissions remain low
Variants
- Recombinant XBB.1.5 dominant with a downward trend at 44% of sequences in the week 17 Flash Survey*** (vs 53% in week 16)
- XBB.1.9 on the rise (36% in the week 17 Flash Survey*** vs 32% in week 16)
- Sub-lineages CH.1.1 and BQ.1 detected at low levels (1% and 3% in the week 17 Flash Survey***)
Prevention
- Vaccination on 15 May 2023 (Vaccin Covid data):
- 23.8% of 60-79 year-olds and 26.7% of 80+ year-olds had received a booster dose adapted to the Omicron variant
- 19.1% of 60-79 year-olds had received a dose of vaccine in the past 6 months and 1.7% of 80+ year-oldsin the past 3 months
- In the current context of the epidemic and the spring vaccination campaign, continued compliance with preventive measures is recommended:
- 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 series;
- continued application of precautionary measures, particularly in case of a positive test and/or symptoms, to protect vulnerable individuals.
