Covid-19 cases rise in France as emergency visits jump 22% ahead of autumn vaccination campaign

Resurgence of Covid-19 following autumn return

National public health agency Santé publique France reported on 30 September 2026 that Covid-19 circulation is accelerating across the country. The seasonal rebound follows the reopening of schools and the return of workers to offices in September, environments that foster virus transmission alongside crowded public transport networks. Surveillance data from wastewater treatment facilities throughout France corroborates the growing prevalence of the virus in local communities. Across both community medical practices and hospital departments, patient presentations for acute respiratory illnesses increased throughout the week of 21 to 27 September 2026. Health officials noted that while infection numbers are progressing upward across all demographic groups, overall activity matches levels recorded during the same period in previous autumn seasons.

Increases across emergency departments and primary care

Hospital emergency services registered a 22% increase in patient visits for suspected Covid-19 infections during the week of 21 to 27 September 2026, accounting for 114 additional visits nationwide. Primary care networks recorded parallel upward trends in viral consultations during the same reporting period. The SOS Médecins on-call medical association noted a 19% weekly rise in consultations for suspected Covid-19 across all age groups, representing 173 additional medical acts. In addition to emergency ward attendances, general medical practices in urban and suburban sectors reported steady growth in respiratory consultations. Health authorities monitor these twin indicators to assess the early pressure exerted on inpatient facilities and ambulatory care providers.

Concurrent rise in seasonal influenza and bronchiolitis

The resurgence of Covid-19 coincides with early autumn growth across multiple other respiratory pathogens. SOS Médecins reported that adult consultations for influenza and flu-like symptoms increased by 26% over seven days, generating 719 additional medical interventions. In paediatric care, consultations for bronchiolitis among infants under one year of age increased by 12%, representing 17 additional interventions during the same week. All tracked respiratory indicators at SOS Médecins and hospital networks followed an upward trajectory described by Santé publique France as typical for late September. The collective surveillance data indicates that influenza accounts for the largest absolute volume of new medical consultations, while Covid-19 continues to generate simultaneous increases in both clinics and hospitals.

Vaccination campaign schedule and target coverage gaps

France will open its coordinated national vaccination campaign for both Covid-19 and seasonal influenza on 13 October 2026. The dual immunisation drive is already underway in the overseas department of Mayotte, where injections began in September, while the overseas department of La Réunion remains synchronized with the southern hemisphere calendar. French health authorities maintain that vaccination remains effective at preventing severe illness and reducing the risk of long Covid. A dedicated study published in mid-September by Santé publique France showed that uptake for seasonal influenza vaccines remains below recommended thresholds among older adults, high-risk individuals, and healthcare professionals. The agency observed that persistent vaccination shortfalls among these vulnerable populations have deteriorated further following the initial Covid-19 health crisis.