Virological indicators continue to decline

In Week 03 (January 16–22, 2023), the epidemic continued to subside. Virological indicators were declining nationwide. The incidence rate decreased (47 per 100,000 inhabitants, -25%) across all age groups. The testing rate also decreased, except among children under 10, where it remained stable at a low level. The positivity rate decreased (6.5%, -1.4 percentage points) in most age groups, though less markedly among those aged 50 and older, and remained stable among 10- to 19-year-olds.

Hospital and healthcare utilization indicators also declining

In week 03, a decline in new hospitalizations (1,583, -40%), new admissions to intensive care units (191, -43%), and deaths (304, -27%) was observed across all regions (unconsolidated data). Indicators of healthcare utilization for suspected COVID-19 at SOS Médecins (556, -13%) and in emergency departments (789, -36%) continued to decline.

Variants: Pervasiveness of the BA.5 sublineage

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, BA.5 (all sublineages combined) remained the dominant variant, accounting for 91% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S01-2023 survey (based on only 703 interpretable sequences). 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 S01-2023 survey (stable compared to Flash S52). Alongside BA.5 and its sublineages, circulation at stable levels was observed for BA.2 sublineages (6% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S52-2022 and S01-2023 surveys) and the XBB recombinant (including its sublineages, 2% of interpretable sequences from the Flash S52-2022 and S01-2023 surveys). More information is available in the risk analysis dated January 11, 2023.

Implementing combined measures remains the best protection

As of January 24, 2023, 20.3% of those aged 60–79 and 23.2% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (25.3% and 26.9%, respectively, among those eligible)¹. Furthermore, 28.9% of those aged 60–79 had received a dose within the past 6 months, and 21.4% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose within the past 3 months².

Against this backdrop of slow progress, COVID-19 vaccination—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)—must be stepped up.

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, 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 enclosed spaces.

Since bronchiolitis is still circulating 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, visit the Santé Publique France resource page and the Vaccination Info Service website. For more information on regional data, consult the regional epidemiological reports. Find all data freely available on Géodes.