2024 - Omikron is probably already predominant in Paris

Omikron asserts itself against other corona variants.

In the Paris region, the omicron variant of the coronavirus is probably already predominant, according to an expert. “Omikron is spreading extremely quickly in Ile-de-France. We estimate that the Omikron variant has already prevailed in Paris and the surrounding area, ”said the data expert Guillaume Rozier, who evaluates the figures from the French Ministry of Health, on Tuesday the broadcaster FranceInfo.

Delta variant on the decline

The incidence in Paris is currently more than 1400 in people between 20 and 39 years of age. “The omicron wave arrives in France at the moment the delta wave flattens out,” said Rozier, who is the official figures on the Website covidtracker.fr evaluates. According to the latest figures, the proportion of the Omikron variant across the country is around nine percent.

The estimates are currently based on analyzes that examine only individual changes in the virus that indicate the variant, explained Rozier. Sequencing that can detect a variant is currently only used in one percent of cases in France.

Further protective measures if necessary

In view of the increasing numbers, the government is not ruling out further restrictions. “If we find that the epidemic is spreading very quickly because of the Omikron variant, we can go (beyond the current rules),” said government spokesman Gabriel Attal for the broadcaster France2. “The big question is how many cases get to the hospital,” he emphasized.