COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for May 11, 2023

Published on 11 May 2023

Key Points

In Week 18, the positivity rate (based on SI-DEP virological data) continued to decline amid very low testing rates. Visits to emergency rooms were down, as were new hospitalizations.

Mainland France:
- Incidence rates* stable or declining across all age groups and regions
- Positivity rate stable or declining in most age groups and regions
- Rate of new hospitalizations decreasing
Overseas territories:
- Low incidence rates*, except in Réunion
- New hospitalizations are decreasing and at a very low level

Variants

The XBB.1.5 recombinant remained the dominant variant, accounting for 52% of sequences in the Flash S16 survey (vs. 53% in Flash S15)
XBB.1.9 appeared to be stabilizing (30% for Flash S16 vs. 29% for Flash S15)
The CH.1.1 and BQ.1 sublineages were at low levels (2% for Flash S16)

Prevention

Vaccination as of May 9, 2023 (Covid Vaccine data):
- 23.8% of those aged 60–79 and 26.6% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant
- 20.0% of those aged 60–79 and 2.0% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose administered less than 6 and 3 months ago, respectively.
Given the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the spring vaccination campaign, 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 and/or symptoms, to protect vulnerable individuals.

*A correction has been applied to the incidence and testing rates for the week including the May 1 holiday to account for its impact on testing activity.