In Week 05 (January 31–February 6), the slowdown in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed nationwide, with a 29% decrease in the incidence rate. This improvement was observed across all regions and age groups, though it was less pronounced among those aged 60 and older, among whom the positivity rate continued to rise. While a decline in hospital admissions also appeared to be beginning, pressure on hospitals remained high this week. The Omicron BA.2 sublineage continued to spread but remained in the minority (5.4% in S04). As of February 8, 82.3% of those aged 65 and older and 73.9% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster
shot. Strict adherence to preventive measures (wearing masks and limiting contact), frequent ventilation of enclosed spaces, and working from home remain essential to stabilizing the current epidemic trend. Continuing to ramp up vaccination efforts—especially booster shots starting at three months, particularly among vulnerable and elderly individuals—and adhering to all recommended measures in the event of symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to a high-risk contact are necessary to limit severe cases and curb the strain on the healthcare system, which remains under pressure.

Positivity rate declining after 16 weeks of increases, except among those aged 60 and older

Nationally, the incidence rate was down again in week 05 (-29%), reaching 2,449 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, or still more than 234,800 cases on average per day. It had decreased across all age groups, mainly among those under 60, where the decline exceeded 20%. It remained highest among those aged 10–19 (3,950). The testing rate was down for the fourth consecutive week (-26%). This decline affected all age groups, particularly those under 60. The 10–19 age group again had the highest rate (9,786, -33%). The positivity rate was decreasing for the first time after 16 weeks of increases (32.8%, -1.6 percentage points). It was nevertheless still rising among those aged 60 and older.

In mainland France, the incidence rate had decreased across all regions. This decline was once again the most significant in Île-de-France, a region that still had the lowest rate in week 05 (1,450, -37%). However, it remained above 2,500 per 100,000 in six regions and exceeded 3,000 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, where the decline was the smallest (3,380, -16%). The testing rate had also decreased across the country and was highest in Grand Est (8,351, -23%). In the overseas territories, incidence rates had decreased across all regions.

Decline in hospitalizations begins, though pressure on hospitals persists

Nationally, the number of new hospitalizations was decreasing (-15%), as were admissions to intensive care, which reached 1,762, a decrease of 10% (unconsolidated data). The proportion of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients hospitalized for reasons other than COVID-19 stabilized at 33% for hospitalizations and 20% for critical care. The number of deaths in hospitals and long-term care facilities, meanwhile, decreased slightly (-5%). In metropolitan France, rates of new hospitalizations were declining in most regions. In the overseas territories, hospitalization rates were declining, with the exception of Mayotte, where they remained stable at a very low level.

Complete replacement of the Delta variant by Omicron

The dominance of Omicron in mainland France observed in screening data is confirmed by sequencing data: it accounted for 98.8% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S04 survey, compared to 97.5% in the Flash S03 survey. The variant of concern (VOC) Delta accounted for only 1.2% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S04 survey, and the variant of interest (VOI) B.1.640 was not detected during the Flash S03 and Flash S04 surveys. Preliminary data from the Flash S05 survey show the same trends of increasing Omicron prevalence relative to Delta.

To date, the Omicron VOC includes, within the parent lineage B.1.1.529, three sublineages: BA.1 (and its sublineage BA.1.1), BA.2, and BA.3. The Omicron sequences identified in France belong overwhelmingly to the BA.1 sublineage: 94% of the interpretable sequences from the Flash S04 survey corresponded to BA.1, of which 42% belonged to its sublineage BA.1.1.

More than 90% of eligible people aged 60 and older have received their booster shot

As of February 8, 2022, the estimated vaccination coverage in the general population based on Vaccin Covid was 78.9% for a complete primary vaccination series and 55.2% for the booster dose. Among those aged 18 and older, 69.3% had received a booster dose, and 79.4% of those eligible for the booster as of that date had actually received it. Among those aged 65 and older, 82.3% had received a booster dose, and 90.3% of those eligible as of that date had received it. In addition, 8.5% of children aged 10 to 11 had received a first dose of the vaccine (2.8% for those aged 5 to 9).

Furthermore, Santé publique France has published an update on the surveillance of COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers in healthcare facilities and a summary of contact tracing activities.