The decline in virological indicators continues

In Week 02 (January 9–15, 2023), despite strike action by some private medical laboratories, the majority of virological indicators, as well as those related to healthcare utilization, remained consistent and showed a continued decline in the epidemic. Incidence,
testing, and positivity rates based on antigen tests (TAG), as well as those calculated from all tests, continued to decline. Incidence and testing rates based on all tests remained stable at a low level among children under 10, with a slight increase in these indicators based on AGTs in this age group. The positivity rate calculated from AGTs and all tests decreased across all age groups but remained stable among children under 10.

Hospital and healthcare utilization indicators also declining

In Week 02, indicators of healthcare utilization for suspected COVID-19 at SOS Médecins and in emergency departments continued to decline, with 641 SOS Médecins visits (-42%) and 1,165 emergency department visits (-43%).
The number of new hospitalizations (2,413, -38%, unconsolidated data), new admissions to intensive care (319, -35%, unconsolidated data), and deaths (382, -38%, unconsolidated data) were also declining.

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

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 the Omicron variant. In mainland France, more than 200 Omicron sublineages are currently circulating, originating from BA.5 as well as BA.2. BA.5 (all sublineages combined) remained the dominant strain, accounting for 93% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S52 survey. Among these sublineages, the detection of the BQ.1.1 sublineage (including its sublineages) appeared to be stabilizing, accounting for 71% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S52 survey (vs. 68% for Flash S51). Enhanced surveillance of travelers arriving from China was implemented in early January 2023 in Europe, particularly in France. To date, the variants identified in these travelers are consistent with data published by China and have all previously circulated in the rest of the world (including France) without having had any particular impact. More information is available in the risk analysis dated January 11, 2023.

The vaccination rate for the Omicron-adapted booster continues to rise slowly

As of January 17, 2023, 19.3% of those aged 60–79 and 22.2% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (24.2% and 25.9%, respectively, among those eligible)¹. Furthermore, 30.1% of those aged 60–79 were considered protected by vaccination (last dose administered less than 6 months ago), as were 22.0% of those aged 80 and older (last dose administered less than 3 months ago)².

In this context, strengthening 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.

Given the continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses in the country, it is strongly recommended that individuals at risk of developing severe influenza get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as possible.

Furthermore, the seasonal flu vaccination campaign has been extended until February 28, 2023. Flu 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 bronchiolitis continues to circulate in the region, parents of infants and young children, as well as those around them, are also advised to adopt preventive measures to limit the 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.