Key Points

In Week 18, the decline in SARS-CoV-2 transmission and hospital admissions continued nationwide. Virological indicators remained at high levels, particularly in Réunion and Martinique.

• Mainland France:

  • Incidence rate below the threshold of 500/100,000 in nearly all age groups

  • Positivity rate remains high (20.1%)

  • Decrease in new hospitalizations

• Overseas territories:

  • Highest virological and hospital indicators, but declining in Réunion

  • Sharp increase in virological indicators in Martinique

• Reinfections: 6.9% of all confirmed cases in Week 16, rising since Week 4

Variants

• Omicron BA.2 sublineage: 98.6% of interpretable sequences from the Flash S17 survey (04/25)

Prevention

• CoviPrev Survey Wave 33 (April 8–15): Mental health remains impaired.

  • Sleep problems reported by 69% of respondents

  • Anxiety or depression reported by 30% of respondents

• Vaccination status as of May 9, 2022 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • 83.9% of those aged 65 and older had received a full primary vaccination series and a booster dose

  • Among those aged 60–79, 4.5% had received their second booster (34.1% of those eligible)

  • Among those aged 80 and older, 16.7% had received their second booster (24.0% of those eligible)

• Given that SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are still circulating, albeit at declining rates, it remains necessary to:

  • Isolate yourself if you have symptoms and test positive for COVID-19

  • Continue to follow individual preventive measures, including wearing a mask (especially around vulnerable people and in enclosed spaces), washing hands, and regularly ventilating indoor spaces

Learn more

• See our special report on the COVID-19 pandemic

• Visit our page on variants

• View all national epidemiological updates