Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 26, 2026 47 minutes ago
COVID-19 activity is increasing across France, with wastewater surveillance, emergency-room visits, and after-hours medical consultations all indicating wider circulation of SARS-CoV-2 during September 2026.
Wastewater surveillance and healthcare data indicate COVID-19 infections are increasing across France, although
current activity remains below previous autumn peaks
The latest figures suggest a clear seasonal resurgence, although infection indicators remain considerably below the levels recorded during previous autumn waves.
Medical Consultations Increase
Data from Santé publique France for September 14–20 showed suspected COVID-19 consultations through SOS Médecins increased by 76 percent in one week, representing approximately 390 additional consultations nationwide.
Emergency departments also recorded an increase. The OSCOUR surveillance network reported suspected COVID-19 emergency visits rising by 16 percent among children and 67 percent among adults.
These increases are important because several independent surveillance systems are now moving in the same direction, strengthening evidence that transmission is accelerating rather than reflecting fluctuations in a single dataset.
Wastewater Signals Growing Circulation
Wastewater monitoring provides another indication of increasing infections. France's SUM’Eau surveillance network monitors viral RNA at 54 wastewater treatment plants, allowing health authorities to identify changes in community transmission even when infected people do not seek medical care.
The national wastewater indicator reached 869.9 during week 36 of 2026. Although rising, that remained substantially below the 2,076.99 recorded during the equivalent week of 2025 and far below the 2025 week-39 peak of 3,299.74.
Wastewater concentrations have nevertheless been climbing since late August. In Île-de-France, readings during week 38 reportedly reached levels last observed in October 2024.
GP Data Shows More Moderate Increase
General-practice surveillance presents a less dramatic picture. The Sentinelles network estimated 102 consultations for acute respiratory infections per 100,000 people during week 38, compared with 76 per 100,000 one week earlier.
COVID-specific consultations remained much lower at approximately nine per 100,000 people and were relatively stable. Brittany, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Occitanie recorded some of the highest overall acute respiratory infection rates.
Importantly, this
Thailand Medical News report shows why multiple surveillance measures are necessary: wastewater can capture widespread community circulation that may not immediately translate into visits to doctors or hospitals.
Severe Disease Remains Limited
Despite increasing transmission indicators, available evidence does not currently show a comparable rise in
severe outcomes. All-cause mortality during week 37 remained within expected levels, while healthcare pressure was increasing from a relatively low baseline.
Community laboratory positivity was reported at around 10 percent, compared with approximately 24 percent during the comparable period in 2025.
Conclusion
France is experiencing a measurable increase in COVID-19 circulation as autumn begins, but current surveillance indicates activity remains substantially below previous autumn peaks. Continued wastewater, primary-care, and emergency-department monitoring will be important for determining whether September's increase develops into a larger seasonal wave.
References:
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/sites/default/files/2026-09/bullnat_sos_medecins_20260923.pdf
https://odisse.santepubliquefrance.fr/explore/assets/sum-eau-indicateurs/
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/sumeau-dispositif-de-surveillance-microbiologique-des-eaux-usees
https://www.sentiweb.fr/?lang=en
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/en/regions-and-territories/ile-de-france/regional-bulletin/public-health-monitoring-ile-de-france-region-bulletin-dated-september-23-2026
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/en/regions-and-territories/normandy/regional-bulletin/health-surveillance-normandy-bulletin-dated-september-24-2026
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/surveillance-syndromique-sursaudr/bulletins-sursaudr-sos-medecins-oscour-mortalite
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-sars-cov-2-variants-drive-tenfold-covid-19-rise-in-belgium
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