Key points

In week 47, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 was found to be accelerating based on virological indicators (calculated based on antigen tests only and all tests), and also based on consultations. Hospital indicators (unconsolidated) were stable nationwide.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Continued increase of incidence rates

  • Positivity rate continuing to rise

• Overseas France:

  • Rise in incidence rates in almost all regions

Variants

• Omicron sub-lineages: Mostly BA.5 with 93% of sequences in the Flash Survey W45 (07 November)*

• Among the BA.5, sub-lineages, BQ.1.1 continued to rise (49% for the Flash Survey of week 45 vs 34% for the Flash Survey of week 43)

Prevention

• Vaccination on 28 November 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 7.2% of people aged 60-79 had received a booster dose for the Omicron variant (10.0% of those eligible). More than 31.6% of them are considered to be protected by the vaccine.

  • 9.4% of people aged 80 and over had received a booster dose for the Omicron variant (11.3% of those eligible) and 13.0% are considered protected by the vaccine.

• Against the background of active circulation of SARS-CoV-2, as well as several winter viruses, combined precautions must be strengthened:

  • up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the initial strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2) for eligible individuals who have received a primary vaccine series, isolation in the event of a positive COVID-19 test and/or symptoms;

  • continued precautionary measures, including wearing a mask (particularly around vulnerable people, in closed, crowded areas such as public transport), hand-washing and ventilation of closed areas.

*unconsolidated data