In Week 03 (January 17–23), SARS-CoV-2 transmission remained very high, with the incidence rate on the rise. It exceeded 3,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in most regions and was rising again across all age groups. There was also a continued rise in new hospitalizations, with significant pressure on hospitals persisting. Nevertheless, over the past two weeks, the number of new admissions to critical care units has been decreasing. The number of deaths has been rising for several weeks, particularly among people over 60, and is likely to increase further, following the exponential rise in the number of cases over the past three weeks. As of January 25, 78.3% of the total population had received a full primary vaccination series. Among people aged 65 and older, 80.4% had received a booster dose. This proportion was only 72.4% among those aged 80 and older. The sustained viral circulation and high transmissibility of Omicron, which is predominant in the region, call for strict adherence to preventive measures such as wearing masks, reducing contact, frequently ventilating enclosed spaces, and prioritizing telework to limit the number of infections and thus protect the most vulnerable. Stepping up vaccination efforts—including booster shots as early as three months after the initial dose, particularly in nursing homes—and strictly following all recommended measures in the event of symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to a high-risk contact are essential to curb the strain on the healthcare system, which remains under pressure.

More than 358,245 new cases on average per day

Nationally, the incidence rate was 3,736 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (+20%). It increased across all age groups and was highest among 10- to 19-year-olds (6,807). Across all age groups, the testing rate stood at 11,777 per 100,000 (-8%) and reached 17,679 among 10- to 19-year-olds. It remained stable across all age groups but decreased among 10- to 19-year-olds (-14%) and 0- to 9-year-olds (-23%). The positivity rate rose sharply to 31.7%, suggesting a likely increase in the use of self-tests (not included in SI-DEP) confirmed by PCR or antigen testing (included in SI-DEP). Focus on incidence and testing by school level on page 10.

In mainland France, the incidence rate increased in all regions except Île-de-France (-11%). It was above 4,000 per 100,000 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Pays de la Loire. In the overseas territories, the incidence rate increased in Réunion (+37%) and Martinique (+6%), but decreased in Guadeloupe (-22%), French Guiana (-51%), and Mayotte (-67%).

Increase in new hospital admissions and continued decline in critical care admissions

In Week 03, the number of new hospitalizations rose (+8%), while the number of admissions to critical care fell (-12%) for the second consecutive week. As of January 25, the number of currently hospitalized patients increased (+14%), but the number in critical care decreased (-4%). The proportion of patients hospitalized for reasons other than COVID-19 who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 rose to 29% (vs. 27% in Week 2) for hospitalizations and 15% vs. 14% for critical care. Nationwide and across all age groups, the proportion of patients admitted for COVID-19 care with suspected Omicron (A0C0) was rising, reaching 87% for routine hospitalizations during the week (vs. 77% in Week 2). This proportion was slightly lower among patients with severe cases requiring admission to critical care and among deceased patients. See “Hospital Indicators” on page 9.

Furthermore, the number of deaths in hospitals and long-term care facilities increased by 8% in week 03, despite the data not yet being consolidated.

In mainland France, rates of new hospitalizations were stable or rising in most regions, except in Île-de-France, where a decline appeared to be beginning in week 03. In the overseas territories, the highest rates of new hospitalizations remained in French Guiana, followed by Réunion and Guadeloupe. They increased in Réunion and Martinique. The rate of new admissions to intensive care was highest in Réunion.

Increased vigilance for the oldest adults

In week 03, the incidence rate rose more sharply among those aged 80–89 (850, +29%) and those aged 90 and older (1,380, +31%). Weekly rates of new hospitalizations increased by 17% among those aged 80 and older (3,455 hospitalizations among those aged 80–89) and by 18% among those aged 90 and older (1,891).

The number of deaths had been rising for several weeks, particularly among people over 60, and is likely to increase further following the exponential rise in the number of cases over the past three weeks. Data on case and contact tracing showed that the proportion of cases likely infected in a long-term care facility was increasing. These data confirm the observed increases: both in the number of cases reported through surveillance in long-term care facilities and in the incidence rate among the elderly. They also call for the utmost vigilance in the coming weeks, particularly among the elderly and especially residents of these facilities. Among those aged 65 and older, 80.4% had received a booster dose, and 88.9% of those eligible for it by that date had received it.

Among those aged 80 and older, only 72.4% had received a booster dose. These data underscore the need to achieve high vaccination rates (including the booster dose) and to maintain preventive measures, particularly in long-term care facilities.

Omicron suspected in 98% of screening tests

In Week 03, the proportion of samples with an A0C0 screening result (absence of the E484K and L452R mutations, corresponding to a suspected Omicron case) continued to rise: it stood at 98% compared to 96% in Week 02. In mainland France, the proportion of A0C0 was over 95% in all regions, ranging from a low of 97% in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (vs. 93% in Week 02) to a high of 99% in Île-de-France (vs. 98%). The proportion of A0C0 also exceeded 95% in the overseas territories, with 99% in Guadeloupe, Mayotte, and Martinique, followed by 96% in French Guiana and 95% in Réunion. A screening result indicating the presence of one of Omicron’s target mutations (coded D1, strong suspicion of Omicron) was identified in 98% of interpretable results in week 03 (vs. 96% in S02). Conversely, the decline in the proportion of positive samples screened with the L452R mutation (carried mainly by the Delta variant) continued: it was 1.4% vs. 4% in week 02. These various indicators are consistent and illustrate the continued rapid replacement of Delta by Omicron across the entire country.

Furthermore, sequencing data confirm that Omicron is the dominant variant in mainland France: it accounted for 71% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S52 survey, 85% in the Flash S01 survey (conducted on January 3), and 96% in the Flash S02 survey (January 10, 2022). The Omicron variants identified in France belonged overwhelmingly to the BA.1 sublineage, with only 60 BA.2 sequences identified by sequencing since week 51. Among the interpretable sequences from the Flash surveys, the proportion of BA.1 and BA.2 was thus 94% and 1% in week 02. The spread of the BA.2 sublineage in certain countries may suggest a transmissibility advantage over BA.1, but preliminary data indicate similar severity. The evolution of the proportion of BA.2 and knowledge about this sublineage will be closely monitored over the coming weeks.

Nearly 65% of those aged 18 and older have received a booster dose

As of January 25, 2022, the estimated vaccination coverage in the general population based on Vaccin Covid was 78.3% for a complete primary vaccination series and 51.2% for the booster dose. Among those aged 18 and older, 64.7% had received a booster dose, and 75.4% of those eligible for the booster as of that date had actually received it. Additionally, 7.2% of children aged 10 to 11 had received a first dose of the vaccine (2.4% for those aged 5 to 9). Regarding healthcare professionals, vaccination coverage for the booster dose was 69.4% (vs. 65.3% on January 18) for those working in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, 81.4% (vs. 79.5%) for private practitioners, and 68.2% for employees in healthcare facilities (vs. 64.6%).

In addition, Santé publique France has published an update on the Surveillance of COVID-19 Cases Among Healthcare Professionals in Healthcare Facilities and the Report on Contact Tracing Activities.