Key Points

In Week 16, the positivity rate (based on SI-DEP virological data) declined amid very low testing rates. Visits to emergency departments were decreasing, as were new hospitalizations.
The number of deaths rose slightly for the third consecutive week.

• Mainland France:

  • Incidence rate decreasing

  • Positivity rate declining in most age groups and regions

  • Hospitalization rates are decreasing in most regions

• Overseas territories:

  • Incidence rates rising or stable

  • New hospitalizations remain at a very low level

Variants

• The XBB.1.5 recombinant remained the dominant variant at a stable level, accounting for 58% of sequences in the Flash S14 survey (vs. 56% in Flash S13)

• The BQ.1 sublineage continued to decline (4% for Flash S14 vs. 6% for Flash S13)

Prevention

• Vaccination as of April 25, 2023 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • 23.6% of those aged 60–79 and 26.4% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant

  • 21.8% of those aged 60–79 and 3.1% 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 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