Key points
In week 20, the positivity rate (based on SI-DEP virological data) increased slightly within a context of very low screening rates. Emergency department visits continued to fall, as did new hospital admissions.
- Metropolitan France:
- Incidence rate fell in all age groups and in most regions
- Positivity rate increased slightly or remained stable in most age groups and regions
- Rate of new hospital admissions dropped in almost all regions.
- Overseas France:
- Highest incidence and positivity rates in Reunion Island
- New hospital admissions remained low
Variants
- The XBB.1.5 recombinant remained predominant and appeared to stabilise with 48% of sequences in the Flash Survey for week 18 (vs 47% in the week 17 Flash Survey)
- XBB.1.9 falling (29% for the week 18 Flash Survey vs 32% for the week 17 Flash Survey)
- The CH.1.1 and BQ.1 sub-lineages detected at low levels (1 and 2% in the week 18 Flash Survey)
Prevention
- Vaccination on 15 May 2023 (Vaccin Covid data):
- 23.8% of people aged 60-79 and 26.7% of people aged 80+ had received a booster vaccination for the Omicron variant
- 19.1% of people aged 60-79 and 1.7% of people aged 80+ had received a shot less than 6 and 3 months previously, respectively.
- Within the current context of the pandemic and the spring vaccination campaign, observance of combined measures is still recommended:
- up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, through a booster shot with a bivalent vaccine (against the initial strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals who have received a primary vaccine series;
- continued application of protective measures, especially in the event of a positive COVID-19 test and/or symptoms, in order to protect vulnerable individuals.
