COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for February 9, 2023

Published on 9 February 2023

Key Points

In Week 05, virological indicators were at a low level and continued to decline. New hospitalizations were decreasing in most regions, and deaths continued to decline.

Mainland France:
- Incidence and testing rates declining across all age groups and regions
- Less pronounced decline in incidence rates and stabilization of positivity rates among those aged 70 and older
- Hospitalization rates are declining in most regions
- Number of deaths decreasing
Overseas territories:
- Incidence and positivity rates are decreasing in all regions, except in French Guiana, where there has been a slight increase from a low level
- Hospitalization rates at a very low level

Variants

BA.5 remained the dominant variant but was declining (78% of sequences in the Flash S03 survey); the BQ.1.1 sublineage accounted for 59% (vs. 72% in Flash S02)
The XBB recombinant increased to 9% (vs. 3% in Flash S02), with 7% being XBB.1.5 (vs. 2%)
All currently described Omicron sublineages exhibit similar characteristics

Prevention

Vaccination as of February 6, 2023 (Covid Vaccine data):
- 21.8% of those aged 60–79 had received a booster tailored to the Omicron variant (26.6% of those eligible); these figures were 24.5% and 28.1%, respectively, among those aged 80 and older;
- 27.7% of those aged 60–79 and 19.9% of those aged 80 and older had received a dose administered less than 6 and 3 months ago, respectively
Given the continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses, it remains recommended to adhere to the following combined measures:
- up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster dose with a bivalent vaccine (against the original strain and the Omicron variant) for those eligible who have received their primary series, as well as against the flu;
- continued adherence to preventive measures, particularly in the event of a positive test result and/or symptoms.