The incidence rate exceeded 50 per 100,000 inhabitants in 44 metropolitan departments. Hospital and intensive care admissions are on the rise again. In French Guiana, the decline in the incidence rate and new hospitalizations continued. As of October 26, 76.2% of the population had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 74.3% were fully vaccinated. Among those aged 65 and older, 16.9% had received a booster dose. Against the backdrop of increased circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and winter viruses, particularly among the elderly, it is essential to encourage vaccination of those not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as the administration of booster shots to eligible individuals aged 65 and older, and to maintain high adherence to preventive measures, given the effectiveness of these measures in containing the epidemic and preserving the healthcare system.

The incidence rate continues to rise across the country

Nationally, the incidence rate rose again (+14%) in week 42, with 55 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants (vs. 48 in week 41). On average, 5,276 cases were diagnosed per day. The incidence rate was rising across all age groups, except among those aged 20–29 (-6%). The increase was moderate among those aged 30–39 (+6%) and more pronounced among those aged 60 and older. With the end of systematic reimbursement for tests, the testing rate—including antigen and PCR tests (excluding self-tests)—decreased sharply (-21% in Week 42) to reach 3,147 per 100,000 inhabitants. This decline was observed in all age groups, with the exception of those under 20, among whom the testing rate remained stable. The sharpest decreases were observed among those aged 20–39. The positivity rate increased by 0.5 percentage points to 1.7%. Among symptomatic individuals who were tested, testing rates remained stable, and the number of confirmed cases increased by 25%, confirming the resurgence of viral circulation observed at the national level. The decline in testing rates had a limited effect on the number of confirmed cases at the national level due to a very low positivity rate among asymptomatic individuals (<1.0%).

• For more information: Weekly Focus: Reimbursement of so-called “convenience” tests: monitoring of indicators

In mainland France, the incidence rate was rising or stable in all regions. It reached 73 per 100,000 inhabitants in Pays de la Loire (+52%) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (+1%), and 71 in Île-de-France (-0.2%). It was rising in nearly three-quarters of the departments. The testing rate was decreasing in all regions. In the overseas territories, the incidence rate continued to decline in French Guiana (-15%) and stabilized in Martinique (+5%) and Guadeloupe (-3%).

Slight increase in hospital indicators

The number of new hospitalizations rose slightly (1,281, +2%), with a steeper increase in new critical care admissions (346, +12%). As of October 26, 6,506 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, including 1,062 in critical care.

In mainland France, rates of new hospitalizations and critical care admissions were rising or stable across all regions. The highest rates were in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Île-de-France, and Pays de la Loire. In the overseas territories, the rate of new hospitalizations continued to decline in French Guiana and was falling in Martinique and Guadeloupe

The Delta variant accounts for 100% of circulating viruses in France

The L452R mutation (carried primarily by the Delta variant) was detected in 96.4% of positive samples screened in week 42 (vs. 95.8% in week 41). Sequencing data confirm the very clear predominance of the Delta variant, which was identified in 100% of interpretable sequences in metropolitan France during Flash surveys #26 (09/28) and #27 (10/05) (unconsolidated data). In the overseas territories, the Delta variant also accounted for 100% of interpretable sequences during Flash surveys #25 (09/21) and #26 (09/28; unconsolidated data).

Delta is also largely dominant internationally. It accounted for 98.9% of sequenced samples between September 26 and October 26, according to the GISAID database.

Nearly 17% of people aged 65 and older have received a booster shot

As of October 26, 76.2% of the population had received at least one dose, and 74.3% were fully vaccinated. Among those aged 65 and older, vaccination coverage for the booster dose stood at 16.9%.

92.0% of residents in nursing homes (residential care facilities for dependent elderly individuals) or long-term care units were fully vaccinated, and 50.0% had received a booster dose.

Among private healthcare professionals, 95.9% were fully vaccinated and 11.7% had received a booster dose.

Among people over 15 years of age identified as being in vulnerable situations, 73.3% were fully vaccinated and 4.5% had received a booster dose.

• For more information: The “Update” of October 21, 2021