Key Points

In Week 51, there was a sharp increase in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with a significant rise in the Omicron variant, which is now the dominant strain.

• Mainland France:

  • Incidence rate* exceeding 1,000 per 100,000 inhabitants in Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

  • The largest increases in the incidence rate* were observed among those aged 20–29 and 30–39

  • New hospitalizations and critical care admissions remain stable at a high level nationally but with regional disparities

• Overseas territories:

  • Sharp rise in the incidence rate* in Guadeloupe and Mayotte

  • Incidence rate* remains very high in Réunion

Variants

• 62.4% of screened tests showed a profile consistent with the Omicron variant at the start of S52

• Omicron accounted for 15% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S50 survey of December 13

Prevention

• Vaccination as of December 28, 2021 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • 77.0% of the total population had received a full primary vaccination series

  • 43.7% of those aged 18 and older had received a booster dose (80.7% of eligible individuals) and 70.6% of those aged 65 and older (87.9% of eligible individuals)

• Importance of combined measures: complete vaccination regimen (including full primary vaccination and a booster shot after three months), adherence to contact tracing and recommended measures. Compliance with preventive measures, including reducing contact and frequently ventilating enclosed spaces, is essential given the circulation of the Omicron variant.

*Rate adjusted for the effect of the holiday (December 25).

Learn more

• See our report on the COVID-19 pandemic

• Visit our page on variants

• Visit our page on contact tracing

• View all national epidemiological updates