Key Points

Since early March, 8,471 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in French Guiana: last week, fewer than 50 cases were confirmed daily on average since the last Epidemiological Update; approximately six weeks after the peak, the epidemic continues to decline. The weekly incidence has fallen by 20% to 120 per 100,000 inhabitants. After a sharp decline, the positivity rate has stabilized at 12%. The Sentinel Physicians Network and emergency departments confirm these trends for consultations related to COVID-19. The effective 7-day rolling reproduction number (R) is 0.73. Testing pressure is high, with over 1,000 tests per 100,000 inhabitants per week, and could increase due to ongoing testing operations and the recommendation to get tested in French Guiana in the days leading up to departure. Last week, 8 out of 10 people tested, and 1 out of 2 confirmed cases, reported no symptoms. The number of new hospitalizations per day continues to decline compared to the previous week, and fewer than one admission per day occurred in intensive care (compared to two the previous week), confirming the decline of the epidemic at the hospital level. French Guiana has recorded 51 hospital deaths to date.

By region

The decline in new cases continues on the island of Cayenne and in Kourou. In St. Laurent du Maroni, with a lag compared to Cayenne, a decline has been observed for the past two weeks. Along the Maroni River, viral circulation—which also began later—has started to decrease over the past few days in Maripa Soula and is affecting all communities along the river. In St Georges, a few cases are reported weekly. Viral circulation is low or nonexistent in the other municipalities of French Guiana. While the epidemic appears to be leveling off, including along the western coast and on the Maroni River, and as restrictive public health measures are being eased, the goal is to maintain high levels of preventive measures in daily life to avoid an early resurgence of the epidemic (wearing masks, hand hygiene, social distancing). The most vulnerable are protected only by the responsible actions of those around them. Getting tested, even without symptoms, is an opportunity to protect yourself and your loved ones. “Test, trace, isolate”: efforts to identify, test, and prevent the spread continued last week, with 365 people tested across 17 operations, yielding a positivity rate of 13%. This coordination between the ARS, laboratory technicians, the French Red Cross, Médecins du Monde, and local authorities is essential, as is contact tracing for all confirmed cases by the Health Insurance teams. Remember that anyone can now get tested without a doctor’s prescription. This testing is fully covered by Health Insurance.