In week 49 (December 6–12, 2021), the spread of SARS-CoV-2 continued to rise in mainland France. The incidence rate exceeded the peaks of the three previous waves, with more than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. While a stabilizing trend was observed among those aged 60 and older, the rate continued to rise among those under 60, with a very high level among children aged 6 to 10. New hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care continued to rise, exceeding the level of the previous wave but remaining lower than those of the first three waves. In France, as of December 16 at 4:00 p.m., the Omicron variant had been detected in 310 people across several regions. As of December 14, 76.4% of the total population was fully vaccinated. Among people aged 65 and older, 60.5% had received a booster dose. As the end-of-year holidays approach and with the prospect of an epidemic dominated in the short term by the Omicron variant, adherence to vaccination recommendations, isolation for cases, and quarantine for partially vaccinated contacts are more essential than ever to slow the spread of infections as much as possible and protect the hospital system. This must be accompanied by strict adherence to all preventive measures, including reducing contact.

Incidence rate higher than during the peaks of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th waves

Nationally, the incidence rate continued to rise (+13%) and reached 508 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 49. This increase is, however, less pronounced (+13%) than in the previous week (+44%). On average, nearly 48,700 cases were diagnosed each day. The effective reproduction number continued to decline to 1.18, indicating a slight slowdown in viral circulation. The incidence rate remained the highest and was rising among those under 60, while it stabilized at a high level among older adults. Among adults, it increased by 16% among those aged 30–39 and by 15% among those aged 40–49. Among children, the highest rates were still observed among those aged 6–10. In this age group, the testing rate remained particularly high. It continued to rise (+10%) across the entire population. The test positivity rate stood at 6.6% (+0.2 percentage points).

In mainland France, the incidence rate exceeded 500 per 100,000 inhabitants in six regions. It was highest and still rising sharply in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (+30%), followed by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (+13%).

In the overseas territories, incidence rates were highest in Réunion (394 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; +26%) and in Martinique (169 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; -3%).

Hospital indicators continue to rise but remain below levels seen in the first three waves

Nationally, the number of new hospitalizations continued to rise (+12%), as did admissions to intensive care (+15%). As of December 14, 14,885 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, including 2,805 in intensive care. In week 49, weekly rates of new hospitalizations were rising in most age groups. New admissions to intensive care increased in all age groups, except among those aged 80–89, where they decreased.

There were 857 hospital deaths nationwide. There were also 33 deaths in social and medical-social facilities (ESMS).

In mainland France, rates of new hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units have risen in most regions and age groups. In the overseas territories, rates remained highest in Martinique and were on the rise in Réunion.

Delta is the dominant variant, and Omicron has been detected in 12 regions in mainland France and in Réunion

The L452R mutation (carried mainly by the Delta variant) was detected in 97.1% of positive samples screened in week 49 (vs. 97.4% in week 48). Sequencing data confirm the near-exclusivity of the Delta variant, identified in 99.5% of interpretable sequences in France during the Week 47 Flash surveys and 99% for the Week 48 Flash survey.

The B.1.640 variant, classified as a variant under monitoring (VUM) since the risk analysis of November 12, 2021, has been detected in several regions of mainland France, Réunion, and French Guiana. As of December 16 at 4:00 p.m., 310 confirmed cases of infection with the Omicron variant had been detected in France. Data on variants are updated daily on the InfoCovidFrance dashboard.

82% of eligible individuals aged 65 and older have received their booster dose

On December 14, 2021, the estimated vaccination coverage based on Vaccin Covid was 78.0% for at least one dose, 76.4% for full vaccination, and 23.8% for the booster. Among those aged 65 and older, 60.5% had received a booster dose, and 82.0% of those eligible for the booster as of that date had actually received it.

The percentage of healthcare professionals working in nursing homes or long-term care facilities who were eligible for the booster dose on December 14, 2021, and who had actually received it is 54.6%. This percentage is 76.3% for self-employed healthcare professionals and 64.4% for salaried healthcare professionals.

Greater Compliance with Preventive Measures Among the French

Wave 30 (November 30 to December 7, 2021) of the CoviPrev survey indicates that a very large majority of adults support vaccination against COVID-19 (90%). However, 43% of parents are willing to have their children aged 5 to 11 vaccinated. Furthermore, there has been a slight increase in adherence to preventive measures compared to the October 2021 wave: wearing masks in public (70% vs. 66%), consistently greeting others without shaking hands or hugging (60% vs. 54%), and avoiding gatherings and in-person meetings (31% vs. 28%). For the 2021 holiday season, 77% of respondents stated that they would adhere to preventive measures just as much as they did at the end of 2020. However, the proportion of participants reporting that they would celebrate the holidays with six adults or fewer is lower than last year, especially at Christmas (64% versus 83%).

• Learn more: How is the French public’s adherence to Covid-19 prevention measures evolving?