Key points

In week 11, incidence and positivity rates (based on SI-DEP virological data) continued to rise but remained at low levels. Indicators for emergency department visits and SOS Médecins consultations were on the rise.
However, hospital admissions were decreasing.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Incidence and positivity rates rising in all age groups and in most regions

  • Hospital admission rates are decreasing in most regions

• Overseas France:

  • Incidence and hospital admission rates remain at very low levels

Variants

• The XBB recombinant was the most prevalent, accounting for 71% of sequences in the Week 9 Flash Survey (vs. 54% in Week 8), with 56% being XBB.1.5 (vs. 45%)

• BA.5 and its sub-lineages continued to decrease (20% in the Week 9 Flash Survey vs. 36% in Week 8)

• All currently identified Omicron sublineages share similar characteristics

Prevention

• Vaccination as of March 20, 2023 (COVID-19 vaccine data):

  • 23.2% of people aged 60–79 and 25.9% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster dose tailored to the Omicron variant

  • 25.4% of people aged 60–79 had received a vaccine dose in the past 6 months, and 8.5% of people aged 80 and older in the past 3 months

• Given that SARS-CoV-2 remains in active circulation, continued adherence to 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 who have already received a primary series;

  • continued adherence to precautionary measures, particularly in the event of a positive test result and/or symptoms.