Key points
In week 50, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 slowed down throughout the country but remained at a high level. A drop in the incidence and positivity rates was observed in almost all regions and age groups. However, the number of new hospitalisations remained high and the number of deaths continued to rise.
- Metropolitan France:
- Incidence rate more than 500/100,000 inhabitants in the majority of regions
- Sharp drop in incidence rate among people aged under 20
- Hospital admissions up in part of the country
- Overseas France:
- Circulation decreasing in all regions except Reunion Island, where a slight increase was observed
Variants
- Mostly BA.5 with 94% of sequences in the week 49 Flash Survey on 5 December); among its sub-lineages, BQ.1.1 continues to rise (67% vs 63% in the week 48 Flash Survey)
Prevention
- CoviPrev wave 36 (5-12 December 2022):
- 26% of participants are less prepared to take preventive measures for the end-of-year holiday season than last year;
- 75% of respondents targeted by the autumn booster dose were in favour of it.
- Vaccination on 19 December 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):
- 14.3% of 60-79 year-olds had received a booster dose for the Omicron variant (19.3% of those eligible); this proportion was 17.2% and 21.1% respectively in the 80+ age group;
- 34.9% of 60-79 year-olds and 19.5% of those aged 80+ are considered to be protected by vaccination.
- With the end-of-year holiday season approaching, and against a backdrop of active circulation of SARS-CoV-2, combined precautions must be reinforced:
- up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the initial strain and the Omicron variant) for eligible individuals vaccinated with a primary series, and flu vaccination;
- self-isolation in the event of a positive test and/or symptoms;
- continued application of preventive measures, including wearing a mask (particularly around vulnerable people and in closed, crowded areas such as public transport), handwashing and ventilation of closed areas.
