First cases of Omicron in France are exhibiting mild symptoms, November 2021-January 2022

Objectives. - We aimed to investigate the first Omicron cases detected in France in order to assess case characteristics and provide supporting information on the possible impact of this variant on the healthcare system. Methods. - A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information from confirmed and probable Omicron cases. Results. - Median age of 468 investigated cases was 35 years, 376 were symptomatic (89%); 64% were vaccinated with two doses and 7% had received three doses. Loss of smell and taste were reported by 8.3% and 9% of cases, respectively. Seven cases were hospitalized, three of those were unvaccinated (including two with reported precondition). No admissions to intensive care and no deaths were reported. Conclusions. - Our results confirm a mild clinical presentation among the first Omicron cases detected in France and highlight the importance for the national COVID-19 surveillance system to quickly detect and adapt to the emergence of a new variant. (C) 2022 Les Auteurs. Publie par Elsevier Masson SAS.

Automated summary

This study investigated the first cases of Omicron detected in France and found that most cases presented with mild symptoms, including young individuals and those who were vaccinated. The findings provide important support for the national COVID-19 surveillance system.