Key Points

In Week 11, incidence and positivity rates (based on SI-DEP virological data) continued to rise, but these indicators remained at low levels.
Indicators of healthcare utilization in emergency departments and at SOS Médecins were on the rise. However, new hospitalizations were declining.

• Mainland France:

  • Incidence and positivity rates rising across all age groups and in most regions

  • Hospitalization rates are decreasing in most regions

• Overseas territories:

  • Incidence and hospitalization rates remain at very low levels

Variants

• The XBB recombinant was predominant, accounting for 71% of sequences in the Flash 09 survey (vs. 54% for Flash S08), driven by 56% of XBB.1.5 (vs. 45%)

• BA.5 and its sublineages continued to decline (20% for Flash S09 vs. 36% for Flash S08)

• All currently described Omicron sublineages exhibit similar characteristics

Prevention

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

  • 23.2% of those aged 60–79 and 25.9% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant

  • 25.4% of those aged 60–79 and 8.5% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose administered less than 6 and 3 months ago, respectively.

• Given the current situation of ongoing SARS-CoV-2 transmission, it remains recommended to continue adhering 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;

  • 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