Key points

In week 14, the positivity rate (based on SI-DEP virological data) continued to increase in a context of decreasing screening rates. Emergency department visits were down, as were new hospital admissions.

• Metropolitan France:

  • Incidence and screening rates decreasing in majority of age groups

  • Positivity rate rising in most age groups

  • Hospital admission rate decreasing in majority of regions

• Overseas France:

  • Incidence and hospital admission rates remain very low

Variants

• The recombinant XBB.1.5 appeared to stabilise with 59% of sequences in the week 12 Flash Survey

• The BQ.1 sub-lineage continued to decrease (7% in the week 12 Flash Survey vs 12% in week 11)

Prevention

• Vaccination on 10 April 2023 (Vaccin Covid data):

  • 23.5% of 60-79 year-olds and 26.2% of 80+ yearolds had received a booster dose adapted to the Omicron variant

  • 24.0% of 60-79 year-olds had received a dose of vaccine in the last 6 months and 5.1% of 80+ yearolds in the last 3 months

• Given that SARS-CoV-2 remains in active circulation, continued compliance with preventive measures is recommended:

  • up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster dose of bivalent vaccine (protecting against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals already vaccinated with a primary series;

  • continued application of precautionary measures, particularly in case of a positive test and/or symptoms, to protect vulnerable individuals.