In week 34 (August 22–28), on the eve of the start of the school year, SARS-CoV-2 transmission continued to decline for the seventh consecutive week in nearly all regions. The incidence rate was 181 cases per 100,000 people, representing an average of more than 17,500 new cases per day. Although lower, the incidence was stabilizing among younger age groups, with a slight increase in the rate among children aged 0–9. Hospital admissions continued to decline nationwide. 2,304 new hospital admissions were recorded in Week 34, representing a 25% decrease (unconsolidated data). Admissions to intensive care were also declining, but at a less pronounced rate than in previous weeks (285, or -9% vs. -24% in Week 33).

Omicron is circulating almost exclusively in France, and its BA.5 sublineage is currently ubiquitous. In mainland France, BA.5 (all sublineages combined) accounted for 95% of interpretable sequences during the Flash S33 survey (August 16). The proportion of BA.4 (all sublineages included) in the Flash surveys is decreasing, with 4% of interpretable sequences in Flash S33 compared to 5% in Flash S32. The detection of L452 mutations by screening tests remains stable at high levels (91% in S34 vs. 93% in S33), consistent with the circulation of BA.5. Additional information is available in the variant risk analysis dated August 10, 2022.

As of August 29, vaccination coverage for the booster dose remained stable among those aged 65 and older (85.3%). It remained low in the French West Indies, with 23.4% of the population having received a booster dose in Guadeloupe, 15.5% in French Guiana, and 26.2% in Martinique. In addition, vaccination coverage for the second booster dose among eligible individuals (based on the time since the last injection) also showed little change. Only 32.6% of those aged 60–79 and 46.2% of those aged 80 and older, as well as 50.8% of nursing home residents, had actually received it. Vaccination efforts to improve vaccination coverage—which remains insufficient, particularly in the French overseas departments and regions (DROM) and among older adults, especially for the second booster dose—must continue.

Given the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2, the epidemiological trends among younger people, and the resumption of many social activities following the end of summer vacation, adherence to the combined measures remains essential: up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, isolation in the event of a positive COVID-19 test and/or symptoms, adherence to preventive measures, and the consistent wearing of a mask in the presence of vulnerable individuals or in crowded indoor spaces, as well as handwashing.

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, see the regional epidemiological updates. All data is freely available on Géodes.