Key points

In week 33, the epidemic situation continued to improve, although less markedly, with virological indicators showing a slight decrease at national level and a tendency to stabilise in certain regions. Hospital indicators continued to decrease.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Less marked decline in the incidence rate in all age groups

  • Stabilisation of incidence rates in certain regions

  • Continued improvement of hospital admission rates across the territory

• Overseas France:

  • Incidence rate still rising in Reunion Island

  • Increase in incidence in Martinique

Variants

• Omicron sub-lineages: BA.5 omnipresent nationally, accounting for 94% of sequences in the week 32 Flash Survey (8 July)

Prevention

• Vaccination on 22 August 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • Vaccination coverage for the booster dose remains stable at 75.3% in the population aged 18+ years and 85.3% in the 65+ age group

  • Second booster dose: 26.4% of 60-79 year-olds (representing 32.6% of those who are eligible according to the date of their last injection) and 34.6% of people aged 80+ (45.7% of those who are eligible) had received a second booster dose

• In the context of the summer holidays and activities conducive to transmission of the virus, it remains essential to uphold the combined protective measures:

  • staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations;

  • self-isolation in case of a positive test for COVID-19 and/or symptoms;

  • application of precautionary measures, including wearing a mask systematically around vulnerable people and in enclosed spaces favourable to transmission (especially public transport and large gatherings), and frequent hand washing. During heatwaves, ventilation of enclosed spaces should be limited to the cooler hours of the day.