In the context of the decrease in the distribution of the Omicron variant (BA.1 sub-variant) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the HCSP is updating the opinion of 31 December 2021 relating to the test strategy for screening and diagnosis to be implemented for people infected with SARS-CoV-2 and contact persons.
Taking into account the characteristics of Omicron (incubation times, viral excretion, infectivity) the HCSP establishes the guidelines for a strategy of progressive reduction of measures with general and specific recommendations, for the general population and the school environment. In a risk management and public health approach, the recommendations are deployed and synthesized in 2 decision-making matrices of evolution in 3 phases (intermediate, favorable evolution, end of the epidemic linked to sub-variant BA.1 ).
The HCSP recalls:
- the least possible severity of infections with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in people with a complete vaccination schedule;
- the very significant distribution of the Omicron variant in the general population;
- the demonstrated effectiveness of vaccination on severe forms of Covid-19;
- the uncertainty of the epidemiological evolution of the BA.2 sub-variant;
- the low impact of the current epidemic on hospitalizations for Covid-19 in pediatrics;
- the increase in vaccination coverage in France;
- maintaining high compliance with barrier measures;
- the current improvement trend in hospital blood pressure.
The HCSP recommends in particular:
- implement a progressive risk management strategy in this phase of decreasing distribution of the Omicron variant by integrating individual and voluntary management;
- develop simple, understandable, applicable and adaptable guidelines;
- decline the reduction of barrier measures and surveillance of contact persons or children in successive phases;
- prioritize health education over simple information to enable the population to take ownership of preventive measures.
The measures proposed in this opinion are evolving in several chronological phases but may be transitory and subject to reassessment depending on the evolution of the epidemic, which is currently uncertain in the medium term, even if the current situation linked to the end of the Delta variant epidemic and the phase of dynamic decline in the incidence of the Omicron BA.1 variant is favourable. It is therefore necessary to construct an additional decision-making matrix making it possible to decide on the transition from the current phase (epidemic peak) to the intermediate phase and to the favorable phase in a dynamic of decreasing incidence.