Covid-19 hospitalisation cases on rise in France
All age groups are affected but particularly the over 65s
Nearly 3% of all hospitalisations of over 65s in the previous week were related to Covid
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Official figures from France’s public health authorities show a rise in Covid-19 cases leading to hospitalisation across the country.
Cases across all age groups have risen, but have grown particularly for over 65s, said Santé Publique France in its latest Covid bulletin (published Wednesday September 24), covering the previous week.
Cases have also risen across all regions.
Health stations set up across France to monitor the virus have seen the number of infections increase for the fourth week running, the authority said.
“All the indicators point to active circulation of [Covid-19] in the general population since June 2024, albeit with little impact in hospitals,” it added.
“An intensification of the circulation of [Covid] seems to be underway, the evolution of which will be monitored vigilantly over the coming weeks,” the agency concluded.
It recommends people follow typical hygiene routines such as frequently washing hands as well as wearing a mask if suffering from symptoms of Covid in a busy place or around vulnerable or immunocompromised people.
The number of cases is likely far higher however, with many people not getting tested, or only suffering from mild symptoms.
Over 65s most impacted
In over 65s, 1,013 hospitalisations after patients visited an emergency department took place for Covid or suspected Covid last week – 2.9% of overall hospitalisations for that age group in France. This is up from 1.7% the preceding week.
The number of people under the age of 65 being hospitalised for Covid after visiting urgences (emergency care) has also risen, however the authorities said this number is still lower than at the same time period in 2022 and 2023.
It means that currently, hospitals are not at risk of being overwhelmed, however in previous winters there has been a surge in hospitalisations due to a triple threat of flu, bronchitis, and Covid.
The autumn/winter vaccination season begins on October 15 in France, with people over the age of 65 and vulnerable / immunocompromised people urged to get vaccines including a booster shot against Covid.
Anyone will be able to request a vaccination, however, from their GP or local pharmacy.
The World Health Organization says that Covid continues to circulate and evolve worldwide, but is no longer at the level of a global pandemic.
Read more: Adult vaccines in France: check here that you are protected
