COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for January 19, 2023

Published on 19 January 2023

Key Points

In Week 2, all indicators continued to improve nationwide. The incidence rate continued to decline, except among children under 10, for whom it remained stable at a low level. Hospitalizations and deaths continued to decline.

Mainland France:
- Incidence rates and positivity rates across all types of tests are decreasing in all regions
- Rates of new hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care are declining in most regions
- Number of deaths decreasing
Overseas territories:
- Incidence rates and rates of new hospitalizations are decreasing in most territories

Variants

BA.5 is ubiquitous (93% of sequences in the Flash S52 survey of 12/26); among its sublineages, BQ.1.1 appears to be stabilizing (71% vs. 68% for Flash S51)
All currently described Omicron sublineages exhibit similar characteristics

Prevention

Vaccination as of January 17, 2023 (Covid Vaccine data):
- 19.3% of those aged 60–79 had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (24.2% of those eligible); these figures were 22.2% and 25.9%, respectively, among those aged 80 and older;
- 30.1% of those aged 60–79 and 22.0% of those aged 80 and older are considered protected by vaccination.
Given the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses, it is essential to maintain 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 against the flu;
- 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.