Key Points

In Week 43, the slowdown in SARS-CoV-2 transmission continued, with declining rates of new hospitalizations and a decreasing number of deaths.

• Mainland France:

  • Decline in the positivity rate, which remains high, however

  • Decrease in incidence and positivity rates from antigen tests (TAG)

  • Decrease in new hospitalizations and deaths

• Overseas territories

  • Incidence rates from antigen tests stable or declining across all territories

Variants

• Omicron sublineages: BA.5 ubiquitous, accounting for 92% of sequences in the Flash S42 survey (10/17)

• Among BA.5 sublineages, BQ.1.1 continues to rise (31% vs. 20% in Flash S41)

Prevention

• Vaccination as of October 31, 2022 (Covid Vaccine data):

  • 74.5% of those aged 18 and older, as well as 82.6% of those aged 65 and older, had received at least one booster dose

  • 33.2% of those aged 60–79 (39.2% of those eligible based on the time since their last dose) and 39.9% of those aged 80 and older (52.0% of those eligible) had received their second booster dose

• Given that SARS-CoV-2 remains highly active and with winter approaching, adherence to combined measures remains essential:

  • keeping COVID-19 vaccinations up to date, particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2) for those eligible who have received their primary series;

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

  • continued adherence to preventive measures: wearing a mask, particularly in the presence of older adults or those at risk of complications, as well as in crowded indoor settings (especially public transportation) or during large gatherings; 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