COVID-19 Epidemiological Update, September 15, 2022 - After several weeks of decline, SARS-CoV-2 transmission is on the rise again: adherence to the combined measures remains essential

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Published on 16 September 2022

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Stéphanie Champion: 01 41 79 67 48
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Camille Le Hyaric: 01 41 79 68 64

Published weekly, the epidemiological update on COVID-19 surveillance provides a detailed analysis of the indicators established by Santé publique France and its network of partners to track the progression of the epidemic and inform public policy decisions.

In week 36 (September 5–11), the incidence rate rose for the first time after eight weeks of decline, with increases observed in most metropolitan areas. It stood at 186 per 100,000 inhabitants (+12% vs. -9% in week 35), representing an average of more than 18,000 new cases per day. The trend was more varied across age groups, with the increase driven primarily by those under 20. Meanwhile, hospital indicators continued to decline in most regions. Nationally, 1,925 new hospitalizations (a decrease of 16%) and 201 new admissions to intensive care (a decrease of 18%) were recorded in week 36. In the overseas territories, virological indicators were declining across all regions.

Omicron is circulating almost exclusively in France, and its BA.5 sublineage is currently ubiquitous. In mainland France, BA.5 (all sublineages combined) accounted for 93% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S34 survey (August 22)¹. The BA.4 sublineage (including all sublineages) continues to circulate, accounting for 6% of interpretable sequences during Flash S34 vs. 4% during Flash S33. The BA.2.75 sublineage is detected at low levels, accounting for 0.6% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S34 survey. The detection of L452 mutations by screening tests remains stable at high levels (93% in week 36 and week 35), consistent with the circulation of BA.5. Additional information is available in the variant risk analysis dated September 7, 2022.

Risks of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection: Analysis of Available SI-DEP Data

As part of its surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection cases, Santé publique France is conducting research based on data from the SI-DEP virology database. Results from samples collected between March 2, 2021, and August 7, 2022, show 1,817,707 possible cases of reinfection identified, of which 97.5% (1,773,167 people) of whom experienced two distinct episodes and 2.5% (44,469 people) three episodes.

Additionally:

18% of confirmed COVID-19 cases during the week of August 1–7 were possible cases of reinfection;
between March 2, 2021, and August 7, 2022, possible reinfections accounted for 6% of all confirmed COVID-19 cases;
94.8% of possible reinfection cases occurring since March 2, 2021, for which an interpretable screening result was available for the second episode, are suspected Omicron variants.

For 54% of possible reinfections occurring during the week of August 1–7, 2022, the first episode occurred after the week of January 3–9, 2022 (a period during which the prevalence of Omicron was over 90%). The proportion of possible reinfection cases relative to all COVID-19 cases has been rising sharply since December 2021, and the probability of reinfection increases with the time elapsed since the first infection, reaching a plateau approximately six months after the first infection.

Furthermore, a growing number of possible Omicron reinfections following an initial episode caused by this variant are currently being detected in France. However, the probability of a reinfection occurring after an initial infection with another variant remains significantly higher.

More information: Update on Analysis of Available Data on Possible SARS-CoV-2 Reinfections

It is essential to step up vaccination efforts, given the insufficient vaccination coverage, particularly regarding the second booster dose among older adults. As of September 13, only 33.9% of those aged 60–79 and 47.4% of those aged 80 and older among eligible individuals (based on the time since their last injection) had received this second dose.

As SARS-CoV-2 transmission intensifies, adherence to combined measures remains essential to protect vulnerable individuals: up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, isolation if testing positive for COVID-19 and/or experiencing symptoms, adherence to preventive measures—including the consistent wearing of a mask in the presence of vulnerable individuals or in crowded indoor spaces—and handwashing.

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.

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15 September 2022

COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for September 15, 2022

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[1] The data presented here are from Flash S34, as fewer than 500 sequences were available for Flash S35, which is not sufficient to obtain robust estimates of the proportions of the different variants.

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