In Week 02 (January 10–16), SARS-CoV-2 circulation remained at a very high level, although the rate of increase in the incidence rate was lower than in previous weeks. It remained above 2,000 cases per 100,000 in all metropolitan areas and was highest among those aged 10–19 (+20%) and 30–39 (+12%). Furthermore, while hospital indicators appeared to be stabilizing, significant regional disparities were observed. The proportion of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients admitted to the hospital for reasons other than COVID-19 was increasing significantly. As of January 18, 78.0% of the total population had received a complete primary vaccination series. Among those aged 18 and older, 61.2% had received a booster dose (78.8% among those aged 65 and older). Given the high viral circulation and the high transmissibility of Omicron (which is widely predominant in the region, accounting for 96% of positive screening tests), it remains crucial to strictly adhere to preventive measures such as wearing masks, reducing contact, frequently ventilating enclosed spaces, and working from home to limit the number of infections and thus protect the most vulnerable. Stepping up vaccination efforts—including booster shots as early as three months after the initial dose—and following all recommended measures in the event of symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to a high-risk contact are necessary to curb the strain on the healthcare system, which remains under pressure.

More than 297,000 new positive cases per day on average

Nationally, the incidence rate reached 3,098 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (+9%). It once again exceeded 2,000 cases per 100,000 among those under 60 and was highest among 10- to 19-year-olds (5,506, +20%). In fact, it rose the most in this age group and among those aged 0–9 (+56%), along with those aged 90 and older (+20%). It was also among children that the testing rate was highest: 20,633 among 10- to 19-year-olds (-8%) and 19,082 among 0- to 9-year-olds (-2%). The testing rate (12,766 per 100,000) was down across all age groups (-11%). The positivity rate continued to rise, with nearly one in four tests coming back positive (+4.4 percentage points).

In mainland France, the incidence rate once again exceeded 2,000 in all regions and remained highest in Île-de-France (3,679) and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (3,461). It increased across the entire country, except in Île-de-France (-11%) and Corsica (-16%), where it was declining.

New hospital admissions stabilized at a very high level, while critical care admissions decreased

In Week 02, despite the number of new positive cases continuing to rise (+8% compared to Week 01-2021), the number of SOS Médecins calls for COVID-19 tended to stabilize (+1%), and the numbers of emergency room visits and hospitalizations following such visits for COVID-19 were down for the first time in 14 weeks, i.e., since Week 41 of 2021 (down 11% and 12%, respectively).

Nationally, the number of new hospitalizations was stable (-1%) and the number of admissions to intensive care decreased (-19%). In total, as of January 18, 26,593 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, including 3,894 in intensive care. The proportion of patients admitted to the hospital for reasons other than COVID-19 who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 was increasing: 26% in Week 02 vs. 21% in Week 01 for all-department hospitalizations, 13% vs. 9% for critical care, and 8% vs. 6% for intensive care. People aged 20–39 had the highest proportions of hospitalizations and critical care admissions for reasons other than COVID-19 in S02 (46% among those aged 20–29 and 44% among those aged 30–39 for hospitalizations, and 24% and 17%, respectively, for critical care). Weekly Focus: Hospital indicators on page 9.

The all-cause mortality rate, although slightly lower since week 52, remained elevated in week 01. In mainland France, new hospitalizations were stable or slightly increasing in most regions.

96% of screening tests were Omicron-compatible

The proportion of samples with an A0C0 screening result (absence of the E484K and L452R mutations, corresponding to a suspected Omicron case) continued to rise: it was 96% in week 02 compared to 89% in week 01. In mainland France, the proportion of A0C0 was over 90% in all regions, ranging from a low of 93% in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (vs. 83% in W01) to a high of 98% in Île-de-France (vs. 96% in W01). A screening result indicating the presence of one of Omicron’s target mutations (coded D1, strong suspicion of Omicron) was identified in 95% of interpretable results (vs. 88% in Week 01). Conversely, the decline in the proportion of positive samples screened with the L452R mutation (carried primarily by the Delta variant) continued: it stood at 4% versus 11% in S01. These various indicators are consistent and illustrate the continued rapid replacement of Delta by Omicron across the entire country.

Furthermore, sequencing data confirm a rapid increase in the spread of Omicron in mainland France: it accounted for 41% and 70% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S51 and S52 surveys.

The B.1.640 variant, classified as a VOI (variant of interest) since the variant risk analysis of January 5, 2022, continues to circulate at low levels in mainland France: 0.1% in the Flash S51 and S52 surveys, and undetected in the Flash S01-2022 survey.

Nearly 1 in 2 French people have received their booster dose

As of January 18, 2022, the estimated vaccination coverage in the general population based on Vaccin Covid was 78.0% for a complete primary vaccination series¹ and 48.4% for the booster dose. Among those aged 18 and older, 61.2% had received a booster dose, and 72.2% of those eligible for the booster2 as of that date had actually received it. Among those aged 65 and older, 78.8% had received a booster dose, and 87.6% of those eligible for it as of that date had received it. In addition, 6.0% of children aged 10 to 11 had received a first dose of the vaccine (1.9% for those aged 5 to 9).

Furthermore, 93.2% of residents in nursing homes or long-term care facilities had received a full primary vaccination series, and 69.5% had received a booster. The percentage of these residents eligible for the booster who had actually received it was 75.3% (74.6% as of January 11, 2022).

Regarding healthcare professionals, vaccination coverage for the booster dose was 65.3% (vs. 58.4% on January 11) for those working in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, 79.5% (vs. 76.2%) for private practitioners, and 64.6% for employees in healthcare facilities (vs. 58.5%).

In addition, Santé publique France has published an update on the surveillance of COVID-19 cases among healthcare professionals in healthcare facilities and a report on – Reports of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infections.