In week 18 (May 2–8, 2022), the decline in SARS-CoV-2 transmission continued nationwide, with a 26% drop in the incidence rate and a fall below the threshold of 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants across nearly all age groups. The positivity rate remained high, however (20.1%). Incidence rates were highest—exceeding 900 cases per 100,000 inhabitants—in Réunion and Martinique. In terms of hospital admissions, the decline in indicators was confirmed again this week. As of May 9, 4.5% of those aged 60–79 and 16.7% of those aged 80 and older had received a second booster dose, representing 34.6% and 24.0%, respectively, of those eligible as of that date. As SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are still circulating, adherence to preventive measures remains necessary to continue improving the current epidemic situation. Furthermore, vaccination efforts must continue, particularly regarding the second booster dose for eligible individuals, including the elderly and immunocompromised. Adherence to other recommended measures also remains necessary in the event of symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to a high-risk contact.

The incidence rate has fallen below 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants

Nationally, the incidence rate continued to decline in week 18 (404, a 26% decrease compared to week 17). The decline was observed across all age groups, except among those under 10 years of age, for whom the rate remained stable. Among this group, a moderate increase was observed among children aged 3 to 10. However, the values for this indicator remained lowest among those under 10 and those aged 10–19. This rate was highest among those aged 70–79 and 30–39. The testing rate also continued to decline (-14%) across all age groups. It remained highest among those aged 90 and older. The positivity rate was decreasing (20.1%, -3.4 percentage points). However, an increase in this rate was observed among those aged 0–9 and 10–19. These trends were observed as schools reopened and will need to be confirmed in the coming weeks. The positivity rate continued to decline in other age groups, most notably among those aged 50 and older.

In mainland France, the incidence rate continued to decline across the entire country. The highest rates were observed in Brittany and Normandy, and the lowest in Île-de-France and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The testing rate continued to decline in all regions, with the highest rates in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Corsica. The positivity rate continued to decline across all regions. It was above 25% in Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, and Normandy. In the overseas territories, the incidence rate was high and rising sharply in Martinique. The situation was improving in Réunion, although its rate remained the highest this week.

The decline in the number of new hospitalizations continues

Nationally, the number of new hospitalizations was down for the fourth consecutive week (4,938, -28%), while the number of new admissions to intensive care units decreased for the third week in a row (541, -25%). The number of deaths in hospitals and long-term care facilities stood at 592 (-23%, unconsolidated data). The moderate excess mortality from all causes observed between weeks 12 and 16 appeared to return to within the usual range of fluctuation in week 17.

In mainland France, the rate of new hospitalizations decreased in all regions. They remained highest in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Normandy, and Brittany. Rates of new admissions to intensive care were stable in Normandy, Grand Est, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, while they decreased in the other regions. In the overseas territories, the rate of new hospitalizations remained the highest, but continued to decline in Réunion. In the other territories, the number of new hospitalizations was relatively low, but still rising in Guadeloupe.

The BA.2 sublineage of the Omicron variant accounts for 98.6% of interpretable sequences

Sequencing data confirm the ubiquity of Omicron in France. In mainland France, it accounted for 100% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S17 survey (04/25) and nearly 99.9% in the Flash S16 survey (04/19). In the overseas departments and regions (DROM), Omicron has been the only variant detected since Flash S06-2022 (02/07). These data illustrate the near-exclusive circulation of Omicron throughout the country. The BA.2 sublineage is predominant in France, accounting for 99% of sequences in the Flash S16 survey (04/19).

The Omicron sublineages BA.4 and BA.5 are subject to enhanced surveillance based on their genetic profile. They circulate predominantly in South Africa, where characterization studies are underway, and have been detected in France since Flash S13 (03/28) for BA.5 and Flash S16 for BA.4. As of May 10, 2022, seven cases of BA.4 and 15 cases of BA.5 have been identified in France during Flash surveys. Screening results show that the detection rate of the L452R mutation (screening result C1), which was predominantly present in Delta, has increased from 0.4% in S17 to 0.8% in S18. This mutation is found in the Omicron sublineages BA.4 and BA.5, but also in other sublineages of BA.1 and BA.2 (including BA.2.11).On the other hand, the XD recombinant is still detected at low levels (0.2% during Flash S16-2022 and not detected during Flash S17-2022)

• More information is available in the variant risk analysis dated April 20, 2022.

Nearly 17% of people aged 80 and older have received a second booster dose

As of May 9, 2022, the estimated vaccination coverage in the general population was 79.6% for a complete primary vaccination series and 59.2% for the booster dose. Vaccination coverage for the booster dose was 74.0% among those aged 18 and older and 83.9% among those aged 65 and older. In addition, 9.7% of children aged 10 to 11 had received a first vaccine dose (3.2% for those aged 5 to 9). Among those aged 60–79, 4.5% had received a second booster dose (3.9% as of May 2, 2022), and 34.6% of those eligible had actually received it. Among those aged 80 and older, vaccination coverage for the second booster dose was 16.7% (15.1% as of May 2, 2022), and 24.0% of those eligible as of that date had received it.

Vaccination coverage data by department, as well as data on the second booster dose across all age groups and among residents in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, are published on Géodes.

In addition, Santé publique France has released the latest results from its surveillance of COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers in healthcare facilities.

Starting Saturday, May 14, 2022, the publication of daily indicators related to the monitoring of the COVID-19 epidemic in hospitals (SI-VIC data) on weekends and holidays will be discontinued. Data available as open data on Géodes and on the InfoCovidFrance dashboard will be published only on weekdays. The published data will include cumulative updates from weekends and holidays. SI-DEP indicators (virological indicators) will be published every day of the week, including weekends.