Key Points

In Week 09, the incidence rate stabilized and the positivity rate continued to rise slightly, but these indicators remained at low levels. Indicators of emergency department visits were on the rise, while new hospitalizations were declining.

• Mainland France:

  • Incidence and positivity rates stable or rising slightly in most age groups and regions

  • Hospitalization rates decreasing in most regions

• Overseas territories:

  • Incidence and positivity rates slightly down in Réunion

  • Hospitalization rates are decreasing in Réunion, remaining at a low level

Variants

• BA.5 continued to decline (48% of sequences in the Flash S07 survey vs. 56% in S06); as did its sublineage BQ.1.1 (40% in Flash S07 vs. 43% in S06)

• The XBB recombinant increased to 41% (vs. 34% in Flash S06), with 32% being XBB.1.5 (vs. 26% in Flash S06)

• All currently described Omicron sublineages exhibit similar characteristics

Prevention

• Given the current circulation of respiratory viruses, 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, 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