Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions are rising again in France driven by the so-called 鈥楩rankenstein鈥� variant, according to the latest data from Sant茅 publique France (SPF), just days before the start of the country鈥檚 new vaccination campaign.
The public health agency reported that the rate of Covid-19 consultations in GP surgeries reached around 51 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the week from September 29 to October 5 - ten times higher than in February, albeit below the level seen at this point last year.
Sant茅 publique France
Covid-19 hospital admissions up slightly
Covid-related visits represented 0.6% of all emergency admissions, compared to 0.5% the previous week. Hospitalisations rose from 0.9% to 1.1% of all hospital stays.
Older adults remain the most affected: of 790 hospitalisations recorded, 635 were among people aged 65 and over, and 110 among those aged 15鈥�64.
SPF said that while the increase 鈥渉as not yet had a notable impact on the health system鈥�, it is being closely monitored. The agency noted that virus circulation in wastewater has begun to stabilise nationally, after several weeks of steady growth.
The 鈥楩rankenstein鈥� Covid-19 variant
The current rebound is in large part linked to the XFG variant, known as 鈥淔rankenstein鈥� due to being a hybrid of two Omicron-variant offshoots: LF.7 and LP.8.1.2.
The XFG variant now accounts for about three-quarters of identified cases in France.
While it is more transmissible, experts say there is no evidence it causes more severe illness.
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鈥淭he rate of increase is slowing, suggesting the peak may be near,鈥� said Mircea Sofonea, epidemiologist at the CHU de N卯mes. However, he warned that the timing of the vaccination campaign, due to start next week, may again be 鈥渢oo late to prevent the autumn rebound鈥�.
The Covid vaccine is free to those in France鈥檚 state healthcare system.
Both injections can be given at the same time 鈥� one in each arm 鈥� by GPs, pharmacists, nurses and midwives.
The campaign is aimed particularly at over-65s, people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, residents of care homes, and immunocompromised individuals and their close contacts.
Around 14 million people have received vouchers from the national health insurance system (Assurance Maladie) inviting them to get vaccinated.
Coverage among target groups was only 54%, and vaccine effectiveness was moderate at around 42%, according to SPF.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 campaign is about avoiding a repeat of that situation,鈥� said Professor Didier Lepelletier, director general of health. 鈥淲e want to remind people of the importance of getting vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you.鈥�
The Assurance Maladie will launch its communication drive on October 19, followed by SPF鈥檚 public information campaign on October 26, focusing on the importance of vaccination and continued protective habits during the winter season.
Outlook for the coming weeks
Experts note that Covid-19 now circulates year-round, with waves that tend to coincide with other respiratory viruses such as flu, rhinovirus and bronchiolitis.
While it remains difficult to predict the precise course of the epidemic, maintaining vaccination and awareness is key to keeping hospital pressure low this winter.
鈥淭ogether, authorities, healthcare professionals and citizens must act to reduce the impact of winter epidemics,鈥� Sant茅 publique France said.
