COVID-19 Epidemiological Update for August 4, 2022: The sharp decline in SARS-CoV-2 circulation continues

cp_pe_covid_050822.pdf

Published on 5 August 2022

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Santé publique France
presse@santepubliquefrance.fr

Stéphanie Champion: 01 41 79 67 48
Marie Delibéros: 01 41 79 69 61
Camille Le Hyaric: 01 41 79 68 64

Published weekly, the epidemiological update on COVID-19 surveillance provides a detailed analysis of the indicators established by Santé publique France and its network of partners to track the progression of the epidemic and inform public policy decisions.

In week 30 (July 25–31, 2022), the spread of SARS-CoV-2 continued to slow down nationwide, with a marked decrease in incidence rates (-37%) and positivity rates (-5.9 percentage points). This trend was observed across all age groups and metropolitan areas. The decline in new hospitalizations was confirmed this week. Following the stabilization observed in week 29 (-3% after consolidation), the number of critical care admissions began to decrease this week. Virological and hospital indicators nevertheless remained at high levels. In the overseas territories, the incidence rate stabilized in Réunion while it continued to decline in Guadeloupe, though remaining high in both territories. In Mayotte, it rose again but remained at a moderate level.

The replacement of BA.2 by BA.5 continues. Having been the dominant variant for several weeks now, BA.5 (including all sublineages) accounted for 92% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S29 survey (July 18), compared to 3% for BA.2 (including all sublineages). BA.4 (including all sublineages) accounted for 6% of interpretable sequences in this Flash survey.

Vaccination efforts must be stepped up to improve vaccination coverage, which remains insufficient, particularly in overseas territories and among the elderly. As of August 1, only 32.6% of those aged 60–79, 43.5% of those aged 80 and older, and 48.2% of nursing home residents had received their second booster dose among eligible individuals (based on the time since their last injection).

Given the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the summer vacation period, adherence to preventive measures remains essential to maintain the current favorable trend. In the event of symptoms, a positive test result, or exposure to a confirmed case, it is also crucial to follow the recommended guidelines.

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4 August 2022

COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for August 4, 2022

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New Format for the National Weekly Epidemiological Report

Since July 14, 2022, the National Weekly Epidemiological Report (PE-COVID-19) has been streamlined into a three-page format that provides an overview of the dynamics of the COVID-19 epidemic in France. The first page presents the main indicators for monitoring the epidemic, the second page an analysis of the situation, and the third page the indicators available on InfoCovidFrance:

Hospital Indicators

Weekly numbers of newly hospitalized COVID-19 patients and those admitted to critical care units are available in the “Key Figures” tab, under the “Primary Care / Hospital” sub-tab. These indicators are also presented as rates in the “Hospital” tab.
The weekly rates of newly hospitalized COVID-19 patients and those admitted to critical care units, by age group, are available as two separate curves in the “Hospital” tab.

Indicators for Social and Medical-Social Institutions (ESMS)

In the “Social and Medical-Social Institutions” tab, the following are available:

Vaccination coverage rates for residents and staff in nursing homes (Ehpad) or long-term care units (USLD);
The weekly number of new confirmed cases in ESMS among residents and staff;
Weekly deaths among residents in ESMS facilities.

National virological data

The "Incidence and Testing" graph, adjusted for holidays, is available in the "Incidence" tab
The heatmaps showing trends in incidence rates by week and age group (age group 10 and school-age) are available in the “Incidence” tab

Regional virological data

The tables showing trends in incidence, positivity, and testing rates by region are available as curves at the regional and departmental levels in the “Incidence” tab

Variants

The graph showing the trend in the proportion of each variant during Flash surveys is available in the “Variants” tab

Vaccination coverage

The graph “Vaccination coverage by age group” is available in the “Vaccination” tab

For more information on COVID-19, surveillance systems, and vaccination, visit the Santé Publique France resource page and the Vaccination Info Service website. For more information on regional data, consult the Regional Epidemiological Reports. Find all open-access data on Géodes.

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