Incidence and positivity rates are declining in most age groups and regions

In Week 06 (February 6–12, 2023), virological indicators remained at low levels and continued to decline nationwide among those under 60, while incidence and positivity rates generally stabilized among those aged 60 and ^older1.

The number of new hospitalizations and deaths continues to decline

In Week 06, new hospitalizations (1,222, -18%) and deaths (116, -32%) continued to decline in most regions (unconsolidated data). Visits for suspected COVID-19 across all age groups were slightly up in emergency departments (760, +4%) and stable at SOS Médecins (606, +2%).

Variants: The BA.5 sublineage remains dominant but continues to decline

Since the emergence of Omicron in late 2021, significant and rapid genetic diversification has been observed within this variant and its successive sublineages. However, all Omicron sublineages described to date retain very similar characteristics and are therefore all included within it. In mainland France, BA.5 (all sublineages combined) remained the dominant strain but continued to decline, accounting for 74% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S04 survey of January 23, 2023 (vs. 78% for Flash S03). Among the BA.5 sublineages, the detection of BQ.1.1 (including its sublineages) appeared to stabilize at 59% of interpretable sequences in Flash S04-2023 (vs. 60% for Flash S03). At the same time, BA.2 sublineages were observed to stabilize (11% for Flash S03 and Flash S04-2023), while the XBB recombinant increased (from 9% for Flash S03 to 14% for Flash S04-2023). Among the sublineages of the XBB recombinant, XBB.1.5 increased the most rapidly, from 7% in Flash S03 to 11% in Flash S04-2023. These circulation dynamics among Omicron sublineages observed in mid-January have not yet impacted the epidemic dynamics. More information is available in the risk analysis to be published today on our website.

Vaccination and adherence to preventive measures remain recommended

As of February 13, 2023, only 22.2% of those aged 60–79 and 24.9% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (26.8% and 28.5%, respectively, among those eligible)². Furthermore, 27.4% of those aged 60–79 had received a dose within the past 6 months³ and 18.8% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose within the past 3 months⁴.

Against this backdrop of slow progress, COVID-19 vaccination—particularly a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals who have received their primary series (starting 3 or 6 months after the last dose, depending on current recommendations)—remains necessary.

As SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses are circulating simultaneously across the country, it is strongly recommended that individuals at risk of developing severe influenza get vaccinated against seasonal influenza (campaign extended through February 28, 2023). Influenza and
COVID-19 vaccinations can be administered on the same day.

Adherence to preventive measures and other recommended precautions remains advised, particularly in the event of symptoms or a positive test result, as well as to protect vulnerable individuals.

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 updates. Find all publicly available data on Géodes.