This week, the COVID-19 Epidemiological Bulletin (EB) has been temporarily replaced by an update to the COVID-19 EB page on the website, featuring the key figures, which you will find below.
We also invite you to download the Weekly Report dated December 28, 2022, in PDF format from the InfoCovidFrance dashboard page on the Santé publique France website.

Key Points

In week 51 (December 19–25, 2022), the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 continued to slow down nationwide. Virological indicators were declining across all age groups and metropolitan regions. The incidence remained particularly high among those aged 80 and older. In hospitals, indicators began to decline after several weeks of increases, though the number of new admissions remained high (more than 7,000 new patients admitted). In the overseas territories, virological indicators were decreasing in most regions and showing a moderate increase in Réunion. As of December 26, only 20.3% of those aged 60–79 and 22.3% of those aged 80 and older among eligible individuals (based on the time since their last dose) had received a booster dose adapted to the Omicron variant. Due to the active circulation of several respiratory viruses, it remains necessary to step up vaccination against COVID-19 (particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine adapted to the original strain and Omicron) and against the flu among targeted populations. In the context of the holiday season, adherence to preventive measures, including mask-wearing, must be strengthened, particularly to protect the most vulnerable. Compliance with other recommended measures also remains necessary in the event of symptoms or a positive test result.

Nationally

• In Week 51, an average of 40,841 cases were confirmed per day

• the incidence rate was 421 per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease of 25% compared to Week 50

• the testing rate was 1,975 per 100,000 inhabitants (-12%)

• the positivity rate was 21.3% (-3.9 percentage points)

• 7,106 new COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Week 51, a decrease of 26% compared to Week 50 (unconsolidated data)

• including 626 admissions to critical care units (-25%, unconsolidated data)

• 685 deaths occurred in hospitals and medical-social facilities and services (-8%, unconsolidated data)

Prevention

• Vaccination as of December 26, 2022:

  • 15.6% of those aged 60–79 and 18.8% of those aged 80 and older have received a booster dose tailored to the Omicron variant (20.3% and 22.3% of eligible individuals, respectively).

  • 34.6% of those aged 60–79 and 20.6% of those aged 80 and older are considered protected by vaccination.

  • Among healthcare professionals, vaccination coverage rates for the full primary vaccination series, the first booster dose, and the booster adapted to the Omicron variant are 95.6%, 86.1%, and 9.7%, respectively, among those working in nursing homes, 97.7%, 88.8%, and 10.9% among private practitioners, and 96.6%, 88.2%, and 11.1% among those working in healthcare facilities.

• In light of the upcoming holiday season and the active circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses, it is necessary to reinforce 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 of SARS-CoV-2) for those eligible who have received their primary series, as well as 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.

Learn more

• Access the indicator charts and tables directly on InfoCovidFrance

• View our report on the COVID-19 pandemic

• Visit our page on variants

• View all national epidemiological updates