Virological indicators are declining and remain at low levels nationwide¹

In week 05 (January 30 to February 5, 2023), incidence rates (38 per 100,000 inhabitants, -20%) and testing rates declined across all age groups, particularly among those under 10 years of age. The decline in the incidence rate was less pronounced among those aged 70 and older. The positivity rate (5.6%, -0.9 percentage points) decreased across all age groups, except among those aged 70 and older, where it remained stable.

The number of new hospitalizations and deaths continues to decline

In week 05, new hospitalizations (1,358, -14%) were decreasing in most regions, stable in the Pays de la Loire, and increasing in Brittany and the Centre-Val de Loire at low levels. New admissions to intensive care (135, -19%) continued to decline (unconsolidated data). Deaths continued to decline (154, -31%), except in Brittany, where they remained stable. Visits for suspected COVID-19 across all age groups were stable in emergency departments (729, +0%) and slightly up at SOS Médecins (597, +8%).

Variants: BA.5 sublineage still dominant but declining

Since the emergence of Omicron in late 2021, significant and rapid genetic diversification has been observed within this variant and its successive sublineages. However, all Omicron sublineages described to date retain very similar characteristics and are therefore all included within it. In mainland France, the trends observed last week were confirmed by the Flash S03-2023 survey dated January 16, 2023. BA.5 (all sublineages combined) remained the dominant variant but declined, accounting for 78% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S03 survey (vs. 90% for Flash S02 on January 9, 2023). This decrease was driven by BQ.1.1 (including its sublineages), which accounted for 59% of interpretable sequences in Flash S03-2023 (vs. 72% in Flash S02). At the same time, there was an increase in BA.2 sublineages (from 7% in Flash S02 to 11% in Flash S03-2023) and in the XBB recombinant (from 3% in Flash S02 to 9% in Flash S03-2023). Among the XBB recombinant sublineages, XBB.1.5 was growing the fastest, rising from 2% in Flash S02 to 7% in Flash S03-2023. These circulation dynamics among Omicron sublineages observed in mid-January have not yet impacted the epidemic dynamics. More information is available in the risk analysis dated January 11, 2023.

The use of preventive measures remains recommended

As of February 6, only 21.8% of those aged 60–79 and 24.5% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (26.6% and 28.1% respectively among those eligible)². Furthermore, 27.7% of those aged 60–79 had received a dose within the past 6 months^³ and 19.9% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose within the past 3 months⁴.

Against this backdrop of slow progress, COVID-19 vaccination—particularly a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals who have received their primary series (starting 3 or 6 months after the last dose, depending on current recommendations)—remains necessary.

As SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses are circulating simultaneously across the country, it is strongly recommended that individuals at risk of developing severe influenza get vaccinated against seasonal influenza (campaign extended through February 28, 2023). Influenza and
COVID-19 vaccinations can be administered on the same day.

Adherence to preventive measures and other recommended precautions remains advised, particularly in the event of symptoms or a positive test result, as well as to protect vulnerable individuals.

For more information on COVID-19, surveillance systems, and vaccination, visit the Santé Publique France resource page and the Vaccination Info Service website. For more information on regional data, consult the regional epidemiological updates. Find all publicly available data on Géodes.