Key points
In week 52, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 accelerated dramatically due to the very rapid progression of the Omicron variant and hospital admissions increased.
- Metropolitan France:
- Very sharp increase in the incidence rate* in all age groups
- Incidence rate highest among 20-29 year-olds (>3,600/100,000 inhabitants) and 30-39 year olds (>2,900)
- Rise in new hospital admissions more pronounced in the under 40s, especially the 0-9 age group
- Overseas France: Hospital admission rates were high and rising in Mayotte, French Guiana and Reunion Island.
Variants
- 74% of screened tests showed a profile compatible with the Omicron variant in week 52
- Omicron accounted for 49% of the interpretable sequences in the Flash Survey of 20 December for week 51
Prevention
- Vaccination on 4 January 2022 (Vaccin Covid data):
- 77.2% of the French population had received a complete primary vaccination series (vs 77.0% on 28/12/21)
- 48.4% of the 18+ age group (representing 59.4% of those eligible) and 72.9% of the 65+ age group (82.4% of those eligible) had received a booster shot
- Importance of combining measures: full vaccination series with a booster at 3 months, compliance with preventive measures including wearing masks and reducing contacts, along with other precautionary recommendations such as frequent ventilation of enclosed spaces, working from home and adherence to contact tracing.
