Key Points

In Week 49, SARS-CoV-2 circulation continued to increase, albeit at a slower pace, with a slight decrease in the national positivity rate. While the incidence rate was rising overall, it was declining among those under 20, with a trend toward stabilization or a more moderate increase in other age groups. Hospitalizations and deaths continued to rise.

• Mainland France:

  • The incidence rate across all tests continued to rise across the entire country, though at a less pronounced rate in most regions;

  • a mixed picture in hospitals, with admissions still rising in more than half of the regions;

  • Number of deaths on the rise.

• Overseas territories:

  • Increase in the incidence rate and rates of new hospitalizations in Réunion

Variants

• Omicron sublineages: BA.5 remains dominant, accounting for 92% of sequences in the Flash S48 survey (11/28)

• Among the BA.5 sublineages, BQ.1.1 continued to rise (62% in Flash S48 vs. 60% in Flash S47)

Prevention

• Vaccination as of December 12, 2022 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • 11.4% of those aged 60–79 had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (12.6% of those eligible); 33.4% of them are considered protected by vaccination;

  • 14.0% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (16.0% of those eligible); 16.7% are considered protected by vaccination.

• Given the active circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses, it is necessary to reinforce adherence to combined measures as the end-of-year holidays approach:

  • up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for those eligible who have received their primary series, as well as vaccination against influenza viruses;

  • isolation in the event of a positive COVID-19 test and/or symptoms;

  • continued adherence to preventive measures: wearing a mask (in the presence of vulnerable individuals, in crowded indoor spaces such as public transportation), handwashing, and ventilating enclosed spaces.

Learn more

• See our report on the COVID-19 pandemic

• Go directly to the graphs and tables of indicators on InfoCovidFrance

• Visit our page on variants

• View all national epidemiological updates