«The decrease in the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed on national territory» in the week of July 18 to 24, but the indicators remain «however at high levels in all regions and age groups» , observes the health agency.
At the hospital, “a drop in new hospitalizations has begun” (-4%), but the new entries of Covid-19 patients (8,876) and new admissions to critical care (823) still remain at “low levels high», according to its epidemiological report.
And there are «marked» differences between territories, with certain metropolitan regions, in particular Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, New Aquitaine and Corsica, still experiencing an increase in critical care admissions.
Deaths continued to increase, with 641 in hospital or in a medico-social establishment (1% over one week).
The current wave is carried by sub-variants of Omicron, in particular BA.5, now by far the majority. To date, three cases of a new closely watched Omicron family member, BA.2.75, have been detected in France.
Vaccination coverage «remains insufficient», especially among the oldest, reaffirmed Public Health France, calling for increased effort.
Only 31.2% of people aged 60-79, 41.8% of people aged 80 and over and 46.9% of residents in eligible nursing homes had received their second booster dose by July 25.
In a summer season of holidays and activities conducive to an increase in the transmission of the virus, the health agency also recalled the need for isolation in the event of infection and respect for barrier gestures.
In the event of very hot weather, the ventilation of enclosed places must be limited to the cooler hours of the day, she recommended.