Key Points

In Week 07, virological indicators remained at a low level but increased slightly.
Indicators of emergency department visits were on the rise. New hospitalizations and deaths continued to decline.

• Mainland France

  • Incidence and positivity rates rising among those aged 20 and older

  • Incidence and positivity rates rising or stable in most regions

  • Hospitalization rates are declining in most regions

  • Number of deaths stable depending on the region

• Overseas territories:

  • Incidence and positivity rates are decreasing or stable in most regions

  • Hospitalization rates are decreasing to very low levels

Variants

• BA.5 remained the dominant variant but continued to decline (64% of sequences in the Flash S05 survey); with the BQ.1.1 sublineage stabilizing (59% for Flash S05 vs. 60% for S04)

• The XBB recombinant increased to 26% (vs. 14% for Flash S04), with 20% being XBB.1.5 (vs. 11%)

• All currently described Omicron sublineages exhibit similar characteristics

Prevention

• Vaccination as of February 20, 2023 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • 22.5% of those aged 60–79 had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (26.8% of those eligible); these figures were 25.2% and 28.8%, respectively, among those aged 80 and older;

  • 27.1% of those aged 60–79 and 17.5% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose within the past 6 and 3 months, respectively.

• Given the continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses, it remains recommended to adhere 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, as well as against the flu;

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

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

Change in the publication date of the COVID-19 epidemiological update

Given the favorable trend of the COVID-19 epidemic (low virological indicators and the near-exclusive circulation of the Omicron variant for the past year) and recommendations that align with those for other acute respiratory infections, Santé publique France is adjusting its surveillance of the COVID-19 epidemic in France, particularly regarding the production and distribution of its reports. Starting next week, the Weekly Epidemiological Update presenting the COVID-19 situation in France will be published on Wednesdays, instead of Thursdays as is currently the case, on the same day as the other surveillance bulletins (influenza and bronchiolitis). The Regional Epidemiological Updates will be published starting on Thursdays.

Furthermore, for COVID-19, surveillance of variants continues throughout the country.

This change is part of an effort to standardize COVID-19 surveillance and gradually integrate it into the routine monitoring of epidemics. This integrated surveillance strategy for acute respiratory infections, which offers a comprehensive approach to acute respiratory diseases—the main ones being COVID-19, influenza, and bronchiolitis—will be fully rolled out by the start of the 2023–2024 season and will be the subject of specific information prior to its implementation.