Key points

In week 21, the epidemic situation continued to improve, with virological and hospital indicators decreasing nationwide. However, the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 declined less sharply than in previous weeks.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Less pronounced drop in incidence rates, with a stabilizing trend in some regions

  • Decrease in new hospital admissions across all regions

• Overseas France:

  • Virological indicators are very high and rising in Martinique

Variants

• Omicron BA.2 sublineage dominant: 94% of interpretable sequences in the Week 20 Flash Survey (May 16)

• Increased presence of the mutation at position L452 in screening (12% in week 21), linked to the rise in certain Omicron sublineages, including BA.4 and BA.5

• Detection of BA.4 and BA.5 increased in the latest Flash surveys

Prevention

• Vaccination as of May 30, 2022 (COVID-19 vaccine data):

  • Vaccination coverage for the booster shot reached 74.3% among adults over 18 years of age and 84.2% in the 65+ age group.

  • Only 32.4% of those aged 60–79 and 27.5% of those aged 80 and older eligible for the second booster shot have actually received it.

• The continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 means that combined measures must be maintained, especially to protect the most vulnerable populations;

  • It remains important to self-isolate if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19

  • It is crucial to continue taking individual precautions against infection, including wearing a mask (especially in enclosed spaces, at large gatherings, or around vulnerable people), handwashing, and frequently ventilating enclosed spaces