COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for November 17, 2022

Published on 17 November 2022

Key Points

In week 45, a trend toward stabilization in the incidence rate based on antigen tests was observed. New hospitalizations and the number of deaths continued to decline.

Mainland France:
- Slowdown in the decline of the incidence rate from antigen tests, adjusted for the effect of the public holiday (11/11)
- Increase in incidence and positivity rates from antigen tests among those under 20
- Less pronounced decline in new hospitalizations
Overseas territories:
- Incidence rates from antigen tests remain low but are rising in Martinique, French Guiana, and Mayotte

Variants

Omicron sublineages: BA.5 ubiquitous, accounting for 93% of sequences in the Flash S43 survey (10/24)*
Among BA.5 sublineages, BQ.1.1 continues to rise (32% vs. 25% in Flash S42)

Prevention

Vaccination as of November 14, 2022 (Covid Vaccine data):
- 82.7% of those aged 65 and older had received at least one booster dose
- 34.6% of those aged 60–79 (41.0% of those eligible based on the time since their last dose) and 41.1% of those aged 80 and older (53.5% of those eligible) had received their second booster dose
Given that SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate and as winter approaches, adherence to combined measures remains essential:
- up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2) for those eligible who have received their primary series;
- isolation in the event of a positive COVID-19 test and/or symptoms;
- continued adherence to preventive measures: wearing a mask, particularly in the presence of people at risk of complications or in crowded indoor spaces (especially public transportation) or during gatherings, handwashing, and ventilating enclosed spaces.

*S44 data not interpretable.