COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for December 22, 2022

Published on 22 December 2022

Key Points

In week 50, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 slowed nationwide but remained at a high level. A decline in the incidence rate and positivity rate was observed in nearly all regions and age groups. However, the number of new hospitalizations remained high, and the number of deaths continued to rise.

Mainland France:
- Incidence rate above 500/100,000 in most regions
- Sharp decline in the incidence rate among those under 20
- Hospital admissions on the rise in parts of the mainland
Overseas territories:
- Circulation declining in all territories, except in Réunion, where a slight increase was observed

Variants

BA.5 is ubiquitous (94% of sequences in the Flash S49 survey on 12/5); among its sublineages, BQ.1.1 continued to rise (67% vs. 63% in Flash S48)

Prevention

CoviPrev Wave 36 (December 5–12, 2022):
- 26% of participants plan to be less strict about following preventive measures during the holiday season than last year;
- 75% of respondents targeted for the fall booster dose were in favor of it.
Vaccination as of December 19, 2022 (Covid Vaccine data):
- 14.3% of those aged 60–79 had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (19.3% of those eligible); these figures were 17.2% and 21.1%, respectively, among those aged 80 and older;
- 34.9% of those aged 60–79 and 19.5% of those aged 80 and older are considered protected by vaccination.
As the end-of-year holidays approach and given the active circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and winter viruses, it is necessary to strengthen adherence to the following combined measures:
- up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for those eligible who have received their primary series, as well as vaccination against influenza viruses;
- isolation in the event of a positive test and/or symptoms;
- continued adherence to preventive measures: wearing a mask (in the presence of vulnerable individuals, in crowded indoor spaces such as public transportation), handwashing, and ventilating enclosed spaces.