Key Points

In Week 15, the positivity rate (based on SI-DEP virological data) continued to rise amid very low testing rates. Visits to emergency rooms were on the rise, while new hospitalizations were declining.

• Mainland France:

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

  • Hospitalization rates are decreasing in most regions

• Overseas territories:

  • Incidence rates rising in most regions

  • New hospitalizations remain at a very low level

Variants

• The XBB.1.5 recombinant appeared to be stabilizing, accounting for 57% of sequences in the Flash 13 survey

• The BQ.1 sublineage continued to decline (5% for Flash S13 vs. 7% for Flash 12)

Prevention

• Vaccination as of April 17, 2023 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • 23.6% of those aged 60–79 and 26.3% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant;

  • 23.0% of those aged 60–79 and 4.0% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose administered less than 6 and 3 months ago, respectively.

• Given the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2, it remains recommended to continue adhering to the following combined measures:

  • up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for those eligible who have received their primary series;

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

Learn more

• See our report on the COVID-19 pandemic

• Go directly to the graphs and tables of indicators on InfoCovidFrance

• Visit our page on variants

• View all national epidemiological updates