As of 8:00 a.m. on December 3, the Omicron variant had been detected in nine samples. In Réunion, the incidence rate continued to rise. As of November 30, 75.8% of the total population was fully vaccinated. Among people aged 65 and older, 42.9% had received a booster dose. Given the current high level of viral circulation, testing, rapid isolation at the first sign of symptoms or upon a positive test result, and contact tracing remain essential to slowing the spread of the virus. Vaccination and booster shots, as well as strict adherence to all preventive measures—including ventilation of indoor spaces—remain equally crucial to limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and preserving the healthcare system.

Sharp increase in incidence rate, with nearly 30,000 cases diagnosed on average per day

Nationally, the incidence rate rose sharply again in week 47, reaching 311 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (versus 194 in week 46, an increase of 61%). The incidence rate is rising sharply across all age groups. It exceeded 300 among those under 50 and reached 421 (+56%) among those aged 30–39. The sharpest increases were observed among those aged 0–9 (389, +85%) and 10–19 (344, +76%). Among them, elementary school students (ages 6–10) had a particularly high incidence rate of 663 (+92%), associated with a very high testing rate (13,199, +65%) and a test positivity rate of 5.0% (+0.7 percentage points). Across the entire population, the testing rate rose sharply in week 47 (5,418 per 100,000, +37%). The positivity rate, meanwhile, reached 5.7% (+0.8 percentage points).

• In mainland France, the incidence rate exceeded 300 per 100,000 inhabitants in 9 regions. The highest rates were observed in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (417, +71%), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (392, +80%), and Corsica (386, +26%). Only Normandy maintained a rate below 200 (179, +49%).

• In the overseas territories, the incidence rate continued to rise in Réunion (254, +14%) and French Guiana (89, +14%). In Martinique, the incidence rate remained high despite a significant drop in testing due to social unrest.

Marked increase in hospital indicators

Nationally, the number of new hospitalizations rose sharply (4,212, +35%), as did admissions to intensive care (967, +37%) (unconsolidated data). Weekly rates of new hospitalizations and new critical care admissions were rising across all age groups, with a more pronounced increase observed among people aged 30 to 80 for critical care admissions. Among those over 70, these rates were higher than those observed at the peak of the fourth wave in these age groups. As of November 30, 10,310 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, including 1,837 in critical care. In Week 47, there were 440 hospital deaths nationwide (+36% compared to Week 46; unconsolidated data for Week 47).

• In mainland France, rates of new hospitalizations and new critical care admissions were rising across the country, except in Centre-Val de Loire, where they were stable, and in Pays de la Loire, where critical care admissions declined. The highest rates were observed in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Corsica.

• In the overseas territories, rates of new hospitalizations remained highest in Martinique. They were rising in French Guiana and stable in Réunion.

Variants: Delta is circulating almost exclusively; 9 cases of Omicron detected as of December 3, 2021, at 8:00 a.m.

The L452R mutation (carried mainly by the Delta variant) was detected in 96.8% of positive samples screened in Week 47 (vs. 96.7% in Week 46). Sequencing data confirm the near-exclusivity of the Delta variant, identified in 99.7% of interpretable sequences in mainland France during the Week 44 Flash survey (November 1–5) and 99.8% during the Week 45 survey (November 8–10, unconsolidated data).

In the overseas territories, Delta accounted for more than 99% of interpretable sequences in the Flash surveys for weeks 43 (October 25–29), 44 (November 1–5), and 45 (November 8–12, unconsolidated data). The Delta variant is also largely dominant internationally (99% of the 272,851 samples sequenced during the month of November, according to the international GISAID database).

More than 75% of the total population is fully vaccinated

On November 30, 2021, the estimated vaccination coverage based on Vaccin Covid was 77.4% for at least one dose, 75.8% for full vaccination, and 12.2% for the booster dose. Among those aged 12 and older, 89.9% had received at least one dose and 88.0% were fully vaccinated. Among those aged 65 and older, vaccination coverage for the booster dose stood at 42.9% (+7.4 percentage points compared to S46). This indicator corresponds to the ratio of the number of people vaccinated with a booster dose to the population in this age group: it reflects the level of protection in this population. Furthermore, it is estimated that 78.5% (+5.2 percentage points compared to Week 46) of people aged 65 and older eligible for the booster dose as of November 30, 2021, had actually received it. This allows for tracking the progress of the booster campaign for eligible individuals, taking into account that a waiting period is required before receiving the booster.

As of November 30, 94.0% of residents in nursing homes (residential care facilities for dependent elderly individuals) or long-term care units (USLD) had received at least one dose of the vaccine, 92.6% were fully vaccinated, and 58.2% had received a booster dose.

Vaccination Status of Severe COVID-19 Cases

Since August 30, 2021, when surveillance of severe COVID-19 cases in intensive care units resumed nationwide, a total of 1,011 patients have been reported by participating departments in metropolitan France. As part of this surveillance, data to determine patients’ vaccination status is collected from intensive care physicians.

Between September 1 and November 30, 76% of patients under 65 years of age admitted to intensive care were unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. Among patients over 65 years of age admitted to intensive care, 34% were vaccinated, but those who had received a booster dose accounted for only 1.4% of cases.

• Focus: Vaccination status of severe COVID-19 cases admitted to intensive care (page 7 of the PE)

Note: Starting next week, vaccination coverage data—which until now have been calculated based on vaccination sites—will be reported based on the place of residence of vaccinated individuals. This change will result in a temporary suspension of the publication of these indicators at the regional and departmental levels. Publication is expected to resume in a few days with a historical record reconstructed from the start of the vaccination campaign.