The suspension of the transmission of COVID-19 test results to the SI-DEP database starting on October 27, as well as the suspension of operations by some private clinical laboratories between November 14 and 17, disrupted the production of virological indicators by Santé publique France. Consequently, analyses based on SI-DEP indicators produced starting October 28 rely on antigen tests (TAG), primarily conducted by pharmacies, as well as on RT-PCR tests from laboratories that continued to report data.

Virological indicators are rising

In week 46 (November 14–20), all virological indicators showed a resurgence in SARS-CoV-2 circulation across all age groups. Incidence and positivity rates calculated using antigen tests alone, as well as those calculated using all tests combined, have increased.

Increase in hospital indicators after 4 weeks of decline

In week 46, healthcare utilization for suspected COVID-19 was once again on the rise, with 2,732 visits to SOS Médecins (+6%) and 3,097 emergency room visits (+13%) recorded. This increase affected all age groups in emergency rooms and only children and those aged 15–44 at SOS Médecins facilities.

Hospital indicators rose in week 46, with 4,210 new hospitalizations recorded (a 6% increase), including 386 (+9%) in critical care. The number of deaths in hospitals and long-term care facilities, meanwhile, continued to decline (351, a decrease of 6%, unconsolidated data), but at a less pronounced rate compared to previous weeks.

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 S45 survey (November 7, based on only 576 interpretable sequences). The data from the Flash S45 survey are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, as data from Flash S44 are not available due to an insufficient number of sequences—resulting from the strike by private laboratories—to yield robust and interpretable proportions. Among these sublineages, detection of the BQ.1.1 sublineage continued to increase, accounting for 39% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S45 survey (vs. 29% for Flash S43). The BA.4 sublineage (all sublineages included) circulated at low levels, accounting for 2% of interpretable sequences during Flash S45 (vs. 4% in S43). The detection of L452 mutations by screening tests remained stable at high levels (91% in S45 vs. 93% in S43), consistent with the circulation of BA.4 and BA.5 observed by sequencing. Additional information is available in the risk analysis dated November 16, 2022.

Vaccination among eligible individuals must be stepped up

As of November 21, 82.7% of those aged 65 and older had received at least one booster dose. Furthermore, since their availability, 6.1% of those aged 60–79 and 7.9% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (8.6% and 9.7% of eligible individuals, respectively)¹. Among those aged 60–79, 31.2% are considered protected by vaccination (recent vaccination within the last 6 months, all vaccines combined). Among those aged 80 and older, 12.0% are considered protected (recent vaccination within the last 3 months, all vaccines combined). These proportions do not account for SARS-CoV-2 infections that may have occurred during this period.

Given that SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating and with winter approaching, vaccination efforts must be stepped up, particularly through booster shots with a bivalent vaccine for eligible individuals who have received their initial vaccination (starting 3 or 6 months after the last dose, depending on current recommendations).
Furthermore, for individuals at risk of developing severe forms of influenza and COVID-19, vaccination against the influenza virus is also recommended. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations can be administered during the same visit.

Adherence to preventive measures is essential in a context of concurrent circulation of winter viruses

To protect yourself and those at risk of severe forms of COVID-19, the use of preventive measures remains necessary, such as consistently wearing a mask in the presence of vulnerable individuals or in crowded indoor spaces, and washing hands.
In the context of a major bronchiolitis outbreak, 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 causing bronchiolitis.

Adherence to other recommended measures for COVID-19 also remains essential: self-isolation if you test positive and/or if you have symptoms.

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 freely accessible data on Géodes.