Key Points

In Week 50 in Île-de-France, virological indicators continued to rise, indicating very intense circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the region. The slowdown observed in Week 49 was not confirmed in Week 50.

• The crude incidence rate rose for the seventh consecutive week, reaching 674 cases per 100,000 inhabitants—the highest value recorded in the region since the start of the epidemic. This increase was observed across all departments in Île-de-France and among people aged 15 and older. Paris had the highest incidence rate among all departments in the Île-de-France region, at 998 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

• Positivity rates and testing rates continued to rise in all departments.

• The spread of the Omicron variant (21K, B.1.1.529) was progressing rapidly in the region, where it would soon become the dominant strain.

• SI-VIC data indicated a stabilization in new hospitalizations and new intensive care admissions, along with an increase in new deaths reported in hospitals. This initial plateau should be interpreted with caution due to longer reporting delays during holiday periods.

• Vaccination coverage with at least one dose stood at 73.7%, 72.7% for the full course, and 27.3% for the full booster dose.

Given the high and still-rising viral circulation, vaccinating all eligible individuals remains essential and must be combined with strict adherence to other preventive measures.