Continued decline in virological indicators

In Week 01 (January 2–8, 2023), despite strike action by some private clinical laboratories, most virological indicators remained consistent and indicated that the epidemic continued to decline. Incidence, testing, and positivity rates based on antigen tests (TAG) and those calculated from all tests continued to decline. The decrease in the incidence rate (TAG and all tests) was less pronounced among those under 20, and testing rates stabilized among 10- to 19-year-olds. The positivity rate calculated from AATs was decreasing among those aged 20 and older, while it was increasing among those under 10 and stabilizing among those aged 10–19.
Among those aged 0–17, incidence rates had been declining for six consecutive weeks and were below 50 per 100,000 population in all school-age groups in week 01. Positivity rates were below 10%. For more information: Epidemiological situation related to COVID-19 among 0- to 17-year-olds. Update as of January 12, 2023.

Decline in other monitoring indicators

Indicators of healthcare utilization for suspected COVID-19 at SOS Médecins and in emergency departments continued to decline across all age groups this week, with 1,117 medical procedures (-31%) and 2,072 emergency department visits (-46%), respectively.
In week 01, the number of new hospitalizations was down (3,486, -38%, unconsolidated data). As for the number of deaths in hospitals and long-term care facilities, a decrease was observed (571, or -26%, unconsolidated data).

Omicron is circulating almost exclusively in France, and its BA.5 sublineage remains ubiquitous

In mainland France, BA.5 (all sublineages combined) accounted for 93% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S52 survey (based on only 591 interpretable sequences). Among these sublineages, the detection of the BQ.1.1 sublineage (including its sublineages) appeared to be stabilizing, accounting for 69% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S52 survey (vs. 67% in Flash S51). A new risk analysis will be published shortly. More information: Coronavirus: circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants

Vaccination and adherence to preventive measures remain essential

As of January 9, 2023, 17.9% of those aged 60–79 and 21.0% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (22.8% and 24.6%, respectively, among those eligible). Furthermore, 30.9% of those aged 60–79 were considered protected by vaccination (last dose administered less than 6 months ago), as were 21.9% of those aged 80 and older (last dose administered less than 3 months ago).

In this context, stepping up COVID-19 vaccination efforts—particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals who have received their initial vaccination (starting 3 or 6 months after the last dose, depending on current recommendations)—is essential.

Furthermore, and given the high circulation of influenza in the country, it is strongly recommended that individuals at risk of developing severe influenza get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as possible. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations can be administered on the same day.

Adherence to preventive measures, including mask-wearing (in the presence of vulnerable individuals, or in crowded indoor spaces such as public transportation), remains necessary and must be emphasized to also protect the healthcare system. Compliance with other recommended measures remains essential: self-isolation in the event of a positive test and/or symptoms, handwashing, and ventilation of indoor spaces.

As the bronchiolitis outbreak remains at high levels, parents of infants and young children, as well as those around them, are also advised to adopt preventive measures to limit transmission of the virus that causes bronchiolitis.

For more information on COVID-19, surveillance systems, and vaccination, consult the Santé Publique France report and the Vaccination Info Service website. For more information on regional data, consult the regional epidemiological reports. Find all data freely available on Géodes.

​​​​​​​Due to strikes at certain private clinical laboratories between January 2 and 10, 2023, the incidence rate and testing rate for this period are difficult to interpret; the positivity rate and effective R value are also affected. The teams at Santé publique France remain fully engaged to ensure the continuity of epidemic monitoring, based on the other sources that make up this surveillance system, which have not been impacted.