In Week 41 (October 10–16), the incidence rate stabilized at a high level after five weeks of increases (577 cases per 100,000 population), representing an average of nearly 56,000 new cases each day. Incidence and positivity rates continued to rise among those aged 70 and older. Hospital indicators remained high, with 6,556 new hospitalizations, and the numbers of new admissions to intensive care (552, +8%) and deaths (390 deaths, +23%) continued to rise. In the overseas territories, the situation continued to improve.

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 S40 survey (10/03). Among the BA.5 sublineages, detection of the BQ.1.1 sublineage was on the rise, accounting for 2%, 7%, and 16% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S38, S39, and S40 surveys, respectively. However, it is still too early to assess the potential impact of BQ.1.1 on the dynamics of the epidemic. The BA.4 sublineage (including all sublineages) continued to circulate, accounting for 6% of interpretable sequences during Flash S40. Additional information is available in the variant risk analysis dated October 5, 2022.

As of October 17, only 37.0% of those aged 60–79 and 50.1% of those aged 80 and older among eligible individuals (based on the time since their last dose) had received a second booster shot. Given the active circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and reduced adherence to preventive measures, vaccination efforts must be stepped up, particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2) for eligible individuals who have received their primary series as part of the fall campaign.

It is essential to reiterate the importance of preventive measures (consistent mask-wearing around vulnerable individuals or in crowded indoor settings, and handwashing) to protect vulnerable people. Adherence to other recommended measures remains critical as well: self-isolation if testing positive for COVID-19 and/or experiencing symptoms.

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.