Covid in France: what measures in November 2023?

As of November 2, 2023, Public health France observes a decrease in the figures in all age groups (SOS Médecins, visits to the emergency room and hospitalizations after visit). The positivity rate of samples was stable in hospital but an increase was observed in outpatient care. “We are done with the pandemic in its most violent form. But we are in a recovery that is real. This is why I brought forward the vaccination date“, declared Aurélien Rousseau, Minister of Health on October 3, 2023 on France Inter. In this context, the French must be vigilant and adopt barrier gestures. On August 23, on Releasethe president of Covars Brigitte Autran also recommended “Infected people to isolate themselves and wear a mask if they need to go to a public place”. The vaccination campaign started on Monday October 2 and can be done at the same time as the flu vaccination. As for the return of the obligatory mask, “he will be considered if we returned to an intensive epidemic phase, but for now we are not there“ replied Brigitte Autran. Two variants of Omicron are particularly under surveillance: the Eris variant or EG.5 (present in France) and the variant BA 2.86 (Pirola).

Where is the Covid epidemic today?

In November, a decrease in indicators was observed for COVID-19 except for a stabilization of activity in the emergency room (passages and hospitalizations after visit) and an increase in the positivity rate in outpatient medicine. Influenza activity remained at its baseline level in all regions except Reunion and Mayotte.

What variants are circulating at the moment?

Several variants of Omicron are currently circulating in France. On November 2, 2023, Public Health France reported that in mainland France:

• The most detected variant is EG.5 (Eris)it is slightly increasing and represented (its sub-lineages included) 44% interpretable sequences from the Flash survey of 09/10/2023 (vs. 39% of the survey of 02/10)
• Other sublineages of XBB.1.9 circulate in parallel with EG.5. Among these sub-lineages of XBB.1.9, FL lineages (9%) and in particular FL.1.5.1 (5%), are the most detected during the Flash survey of 02/10/2023
• Variants XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 and XBB.2.3 continue to circulate and represented in mainland France 13%, 9% and 17% of the interpretable sequences in the Flash survey of 02/10/2023, respectively.
• The BA.2.86 variantwhich has been detected in France since the Flash survey of 08/21, is increasing over the last two Flash surveys: it represented almost 6% of the interpretable sequences in the Flash survey of 10/09/2023, compared to 3% for the previous one.

5 anti-Covid measures (still) in force in 2023

► It is recommended (but not obligatory as before) to isolate yourself if you are positive to Covid-19 and to wear a mask in public spaces.

► It is recommended to wear a mask if you have symptoms evocative of Covid-19 or if we are a person at risk to develop a serious form of the disease in the event of infection, particularly in enclosed or densely populated places.

► A vaccination booster for people at risk since October 2: people aged over 80, immunocompromised people and people at very high risk of serious illness (respecting a period of at least six months since the last dose or infection), people living in a nursing home, people living in the entourage of a fragile person. “One of the reasons that prompted us to anticipate this campaign is that new variants have emerged and are circulating. And they arrived sooner than we expected.”explained Brigitte Autran, president of Covars during a press conference organized by Inserm, Monday October 2.

► Indoor air quality can be significantly improved by opening windows for at least 5 to 10 minutes per hour in private homes, in offices, collective catering places, etc.

► It is necessary maintain barrier gestures particularly in the event of a positive test and/or symptoms, in order to protect vulnerable people: regular hand washing, ventilation of enclosed spaces.

What are the measures for the Covid vaccine booster?

“We have a vaccine that is more effective than last year’s, there are no side effects“, assures the Minister of Health Aurélien Rousseau on October 3. French people at risk of serious forms of Covid are called upon to make a additional vaccination booster, during a vaccination campaign which started on October 2. Are concerned: people aged over 80, immunocompromised people and people at very high risk of serious illness (respecting a period of at least six months since the last dose or infection), people living in a nursing home, people living in the entourage of a fragile person. This booster dose is also open to all French people who wish it. Vaccination will be carried out with the new Pfizer vaccine, adapted to the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant.

What are the current measures regarding Covid isolation?

“Infected people are recommended to isolate themselves and to wear a mask if they need to go to a public place.” advised the president of Covars Brigitte Autran on August 23, 2023 in Libération. Isolation is no longer compulsory since February 1, 2023 but it is now recommended by the health authorities if you test positive for Covid-19.

​​​​​​What are the current measures regarding contact cases?

There is no no more official “contact case” status. Since February 1, 2023, the realization of a screening test on the second day of notification of contact status for asymptomatic contact persons no longer required. On the other hand, symptomatic people continue to have to be tested.

What are the current measures regarding wearing a mask?

THE wearing a mask is no longer compulsory nowhere. But given the resumption of Covid circulation, it is recommended again to wear it:

• if you are positive for Covid-19
• in the event of symptoms suggestive of Covid-19
• for prevention in closed and promiscuous places and public transport (metro, train, bus, plane, etc.);
• in large gatherings, including outdoors, for vulnerable people because of their age or pathologies;
• in the presence of elderly people, immunocompromised people or people suffering from chronic illnesses;
• for vulnerable people (elderly or immunocompromised people, etc.).

What are the Covid measures in hospitals in 2023?

With the end of the state of health emergency in France on July 31, 2022, the health pass is no longer required at the entrance to hospitals. In 2023:

► Wearing a mask may be made compulsory in certain hospitals inside buildings for patients leaving their room in hospitalization, in day hospital, in consultation also for visitors, companions and patient care workers (ex-paramedics).
► Wearing a mask remains compulsory for hospital staff in places where patients are present. (conventional hospitalization, consultation, day hospital, circulation corridors).
Wearing a mask is no longer obligatory in the offices, meeting rooms, transmission rooms, rest rooms, as well as in services and places not open to patients (laboratories, nurseries, etc.)
► Wearing a mask is compulsory, regardless of the location, for hospital staff who present with symptoms suggestive of ENT or respiratory infection.