Next week, the COVID-19 Epidemiological Bulletin (EB) will be temporarily replaced by an update to the COVID-19 EB page on the website, featuring key figures, available at https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr

Decline in virological indicators

In Week 50 (December 12–18), SARS-CoV-2 circulation slowed nationwide but remained high across most of the country. Both the incidence rate (563 cases per 100,000, -13%) and the positivity rate (25.2%, -2.6 percentage points) decreased, and this trend was observed in nearly all regions and age groups, particularly among those under 20. SOS Médecins calls for suspected COVID-19 cases were also down (3,247, -16%), and the number of emergency room visits stabilized (5,408, +1%).

New hospital admissions remained at high levels

In week 50, the number of new hospital admissions remained high at 8,354, including 737 in critical care (unconsolidated data). The previous week, these consolidated indicators showed that admissions continued to rise in week 49 (+14% and +11%, respectively). The number of deaths in hospitals and long-term care facilities, meanwhile, continued to rise (643, +12%, unconsolidated data).

Omicron is circulating almost exclusively in France, and its BA.5 sublineage remains ubiquitous

In mainland France, BA.5 (all sublineages combined) accounted for 94% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S49 survey (December 5, based on 1,296 interpretable sequences). Among these sublineages, detection of the BQ.1.1 sublineage (including its sublineages) continued to increase at a steady rate, accounting for 67% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S49 survey (vs. 63% for Flash S48). Additional information is available in the variant risk analysis dated 12/14/2022.

Active circulation of several respiratory viruses: need to boost vaccination among eligible individuals

As of December 19, 14.3% of those aged 60–79 and 17.2% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (19.3% and 21.1% respectively among eligible individuals)¹. In total, 34.9% of those aged 60–79 are considered protected by vaccination (provided they received a dose within the last 6 months, regardless of vaccine type), as are 19.5% of those aged 80 and older (having received a dose within the last 3 months, regardless of vaccine type). These proportions do not take into account SARS-CoV-2 infections that may have occurred during this period.

Vaccination coverage among healthcare professionals for the full primary vaccination series, the first booster dose, and the booster tailored to the Omicron variant is estimated at 95.6%, 86.1%, and 9.0%, respectively, among those working in nursing homes, 97.7%, 88.8%, and 10.1% among private practitioners, and 96.6%, 88.2%, and 10.3% among those working in healthcare facilities². The fall vaccination campaign, including the booster dose adapted for the Omicron variant, began on October 3, 2022.

In this context, the Agency reminds the public that it is essential to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly by receiving a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals who have received their initial vaccination (3 or 6 months after the last injection, depending on current recommendations).

As the holiday season approaches, it is more important than ever to follow preventive measures.

To protect yourself and those at risk of severe illness, the implementation of preventive measures—including wearing a mask (in the presence of vulnerable individuals, or in crowded indoor spaces such as public transportation)—remains necessary and must be reinforced to also safeguard the healthcare system. Adherence to other recommended measures remains essential: self-isolation if you test positive and/or if you have symptoms, handwashing, and ventilating indoor spaces.

With the bronchiolitis outbreak circulating at high levels, parents of infants and young children, as well as those around them, are also advised to adopt preventive measures to limit the transmission of the virus causing bronchiolitis.

For more information on COVID-19, surveillance systems, and vaccination, consult the Santé Publique France report and the Vaccination Info Service website. For more information on regional data, consult the regional epidemiological reports. Find all data freely available on Géodes.