In week 15 (April 11–17, 2022), the spread of SARS-CoV-2 slowed across the country, with the incidence rate falling by 14%. However, this indicator remained high, and the trend varied by age group: incidence fell sharply among those under 20 but remained stable among those aged 60 and older. Similarly, while the positivity rate was declining among those under 20, it was rising among those aged 60 and older. The number of new hospitalizations remained high, and the downward trends indicated by SI-VIC data will need to be confirmed next week after consolidation. In the overseas territories, incidence and hospital admission rates remained high and were rising in Réunion. As of April 18, 2.7% of those aged 60–79 and older had received a second booster dose, and 11.2% of those aged 80 and older. In the current context of COVID-19 and flu outbreaks, adherence to preventive measures—including mask-wearing (particularly in enclosed spaces or during large gatherings), handwashing, and ventilation of indoor spaces—remains essential, especially to protect vulnerable individuals. At the same time, vaccination efforts must continue, particularly regarding the second booster dose for eligible populations. Adherence to other recommended measures also remains crucial in the event of symptoms, a positive test result, or exposure to a high-risk contact.

Decrease in incidence rate, with nearly 116,000 new cases diagnosed on average per day

Nationally, the incidence rate decreased to 1,208 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 15 (-14% compared to week 14). Nevertheless, this trend remained highly variable across age groups. This indicator was down by at least 30% among those under 20, decreased less markedly among those aged 20–59, and remained stable among those aged 60 and older. Furthermore, it remained above 1,000 per 100,000 in all age groups except for those under 10 (587, -30%) and those aged 10–19 (805, -36%). This week, those aged 30–39 and 70–79 had the highest rates.

The testing rate decreased by 13% nationwide, and more notably among those aged 0–9 and 10–19 (-26%). The sharpest decline in the positivity rate was observed among 10- to 19-year-olds (25.1%, -3.8 percentage points), confirming the reduction in SARS-CoV-2 circulation in this age group for the third consecutive week. The positivity rate was declining among those under 60 and rising among older age groups, particularly among those aged 70–79 (35.9%, +1.6 percentage points). It was highest among those aged 50–59 (36.5%). Nationally, this rate had stabilized (31.7%, -0.4 percentage points).

In mainland France, the incidence rate had stabilized in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and was declining in the rest of the country. The decline exceeded 20% in five regions, notably in Hauts-de-France (-24%) and Normandy (-23%). However, all regions maintained incidence rates above 1,000 per 100,000, with the highest rates observed in Corsica, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Normandy. In the overseas territories, the incidence rate was highest and still rising in Réunion (1,827, +10%). By contrast, it had fallen sharply in Guadeloupe (-12%) and Martinique (-18%).

Hospital indicators remain high

Nationally, new hospitalizations (8,348, -20%) and new critical care admissions (817, -11%) remained high. Because data for Week 15 has not yet been consolidated, these results tend to overestimate the magnitude of the decline and will be adjusted in the next epidemiological update. Thus, the consolidated indicators for week 14 indicated that hospitalizations were still rising (+5%) and that admissions to intensive care were stable (+0.3%). The same caution applies to the estimate of the number of deaths in hospitals and long-term care facilities (702, -10%).

In mainland France, rates of new hospitalizations were highest in Brittany and Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Rates of new critical care admissions were rising in certain regions, particularly in the Pays de la Loire. In the overseas territories, the rate of new hospitalizations remained the highest and was increasing in Réunion.

Omicron Dominates in France

Sequencing data confirm the ubiquity of Omicron in France. In mainland France, it accounted for 100% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S14 survey (04/04) and 99.9% in the Flash S13 survey (03/28). In the overseas departments and regions (DROM), Omicron is the only variant detected since Flash S06-2022 (02/07). These data highlight the replacement of Delta by Omicron.

The XD recombinant has been classified as a variant under monitoring (VUM) since the variant risk analysis of 03/23/2022, due to its genetic characteristics derived from the parent variants of concern (VOCs) (Delta AY.4 and Omicron BA.1). It accounts for less than 0.1% of interpretable sequences from Flash surveys S01 (01/03) through S14 (04/04), and was not detected during the Flash S14 survey.

More than 11% of those aged 80 and older have received a second booster dose

As of April 18, 2022, the estimated vaccination coverage in the general population was 79.6% for a complete primary vaccination series and 58.9% for the booster dose.

Vaccination coverage for the booster dose was 73.6% among those aged 18 and older and 83.6% among those aged 65 and older. Additionally, 9.6% of children aged 10 to 11 had received a first dose of the vaccine (3.2% for those aged 5 to 9). Among those aged 60–79, 2.7% had received a second booster dose, and 28.8% of those eligible had actually received it. Among those aged 80 and older, vaccination coverage for the second booster dose was 11.2%, and 17.4% of those eligible as of that date had received it.

Vaccination coverage data by department are published on Géodes, and data regarding the second booster dose among those aged 60 and older as well as among residents in nursing homes (Ehpad) or long-term care facilities (USLD) are also published there.

In addition, Santé publique France publishes the “Update on” regarding COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare professionals and residents in ESMS facilities.