Key Points

In Week 31, SARS-CoV-2 transmission continued to decline nationwide, accompanied by a decrease in hospital admissions. However, virological and hospital indicators remained high.

• Mainland France:

  • Decrease in incidence rates across all age groups and regions

  • Highest incidence rates among those aged 20–39 and 50–59

  • Decline in hospital admission rates continuing across the entire country

• Overseas territories:

  • High incidence rates, but declining in Réunion and Guadeloupe

  • High positivity rate in Réunion and rising in Martinique

Variants

• Omicron sublineages: BA.5 is the dominant strain, accounting for 93% of sequences in the Flash S30 survey (July 25)

Prevention

• Vaccination as of August 8, 2022 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • Vaccination coverage for the booster dose remains stable at 75.3% among those aged 18 and older and at 85.2% among those aged 65 and older

  • Second booster dose: 25.2% of those aged 60–79 (32.7% of those eligible based on the time since their last injection) and 33.6% of those aged 80 and older (44.6% of those eligible)

• Given the summer holidays and activities that may lead to increased virus transmission, adherence to the combined measures remains necessary:

  • up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination;

  • isolation in case of symptoms and a positive COVID-19 test;

  • adherence to preventive measures: consistent mask-wearing in the presence of vulnerable individuals or in crowded indoor settings (public transit, large gatherings, etc.) and increased handwashing. During periods of extreme heat, ventilation of indoor spaces should be limited to the coolest hours of the day.

Learn more

• See our report on the COVID-19 pandemic

• Visit our page on variants

• View all national epidemiological updates