Incidence rates are declining, amid a sharp drop in testing rates

In Week 52 (December 26, 2022, to January 1, 2023), virological indicators of SARS-CoV-2 circulation were declining nationwide and across the entire metropolitan area. The incidence rate fell sharply (-50%) to 210 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It fell below 50 per 100,000 among those under 20 and remained highest among older age groups. This decline in the incidence rate occurred against a backdrop of a significant decrease in the testing rate (1,110 per 100,000, -44%), particularly among those under 60. The positivity rate continued to decline (18.9%, -2.5 percentage points), though there was a slight increase among those under 20, where it remained the lowest. Indicators of healthcare utilization for suspected COVID-19 at SOS Médecins and emergency departments followed the same trend.

New hospital admissions remain high

In week 52, the number of new hospitalizations—the figure for which will be finalized in the next Epidemiological Update—decreased for the second consecutive week (4,999, -40%—unfinalized data). Consolidated data from the previous week, meanwhile, showed a decrease in new admissions (8,289, -16%) in week 51 (-14% in critical care).

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

In mainland France, BA.5 (all sublineages combined) accounted for 93% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S50 survey (12/12, based on 1,704 interpretable sequences). Among the BA.5 sublineages, detection of the BQ.1.1 sublineage (including its sublineages) continued to increase at a steady rate, accounting for 70% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S50 survey (vs. 67% for Flash S49). For more information: Risk analysis related to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants (12/14/2022)

Winter viruses still circulating: adherence to combined measures must continue

As of January 2, 2023, 16.3% of those aged 60–79 and 19.6% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (21.8% and 23.2% respectively among those eligible)¹. Furthermore, 32.7% of those aged 60–79 were considered protected by vaccination (last dose administered within the past 6 months), as were 21.0% of those aged 80 and older (last dose administered within the past 3 months)².

Vaccination coverage among healthcare professionals for the complete primary vaccination series, the first booster dose, and the booster adapted to the Omicron variant is estimated at 95.6%, 86.2%, and 10.1%, respectively, among those working in nursing homes, 97.7%, 88.8%, and 11.4% among private practitioners, and 96.6%, 88.3%, and 11.6% among those working in healthcare facilities^³. The fall vaccination campaign, including the booster dose adapted to the Omicron variant, began on October 3, 2022.

In this context, strengthening COVID-19 vaccination efforts—particularly through a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals who have received their initial vaccination (starting 3 or 6 months after the last dose, according to current recommendations)—is essential.

Furthermore, given the high circulation of the flu in the country, it is strongly recommended that individuals at risk of developing severe flu get vaccinated against seasonal flu as soon as possible. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations can be administered on the same day.

Adherence to preventive measures, including mask-wearing (in the presence of vulnerable individuals, or in crowded indoor spaces such as public transportation), remains necessary and must be emphasized to also protect the healthcare system. Compliance with other recommended measures remains essential: self-isolation in the event of a positive test and/or symptoms, handwashing, and ventilation of enclosed spaces.

As the bronchiolitis outbreak remains 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 that causes 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.