Slight increase in incidence and positivity rates

In Week 08 (February 20–26, 2023), virological indicators remained at low levels, with a slight increase nationwide in incidence rates (38 per 100,000 population, +4%) and positivity rates (6.9%, +0.7 percentage points) at the national level, against a backdrop of a decline in the testing ^rate1. The incidence rate continued to decline among 10- to 19-year-olds but remained stable or showed a slight increase in other age groups. The positivity rate increased slightly, and the testing rate continued to decline across all age groups.

New hospital admissions continue to decline

In week 08, the number of emergency room visits stabilized, while new hospitalizations continued to decline, with 1,370 new hospitalizations (-13%) and 128 new admissions to critical care units (-24%) (unconsolidated data).

Variants: BA.5 sublineage 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 variant but continued to decline, accounting for 55% of interpretable sequences in the Flash S06 survey of February 6, 2023 (vs. 63% for Flash S05). Among the BA.5 sublineages, the detection of BQ.1.1 (including its sublineages) decreased, accounting for 43% of interpretable sequences in Flash S06-2023 (vs. 49% for Flash S05). At the same time, BA.2 sublineages remained stable (9% for Flash S05 and 10% for Flash S06-2023), while the XBB recombinant increased (from 26% for Flash S05 to 34% for Flash S06-2023). Among the sublineages of the XBB recombinant, XBB.1.5 increased the most rapidly, from 20% in Flash S05 to 26% in Flash S06-2023. More information is available in the risk analysis related to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants dated February 15, 2023.

Adherence to preventive measures remains recommended

As of February 27, 2023, only 22.8% of those aged 60–79 and 25.5% of those aged 80 and older had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (26.8% and 29.1%, respectively, among those eligible²). Furthermore, 26.8% of those aged 60–79 had received a dose within the past 6 months³ and 16.1% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose within the past 3 months⁴.

Given the ongoing circulation of several respiratory viruses, strengthening COVID-19 vaccination—particularly through 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. 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, consult the Santé Publique France report and the Vaccination Info Service website. For more information on regional data, consult the regional epidemiological updates. Find all data freely available on Géodes.