Key Points

In week 23 (June 7–13, 2021), all epidemiological indicators of SARS-CoV-2 circulation continued to decline in Île-de-France. However, these indicators remained at high levels compared to other regions and were still higher than national levels. The regional incidence rate for Week 23 was 51 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a 41% decrease from the incidence rate in Week 22 (86 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The testing rate remained stable, while the positivity rate continued to decline.

Visits to primary care for “suspected COVID-19” and visits to emergency care continued to decline in Week 23. The decrease in new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients, which began in Week 17, continued in Week 23. The weekly number of new admissions to critical care units and the number of deaths among hospitalized COVID-19 patients continued to decline in Week 23, remaining below the levels observed between the second and third waves of the epidemic. These hospital indicators, however, remained among the highest in mainland France and must be monitored with the utmost attention in the coming weeks. The number of deaths from all causes and across all age groups, which remained elevated for 16 consecutive weeks between Week 3-2021 and Week 18-2021, had ceased to be elevated as of Week 19.

At the same time, vaccination coverage in Île-de-France continued to rise. As of June 16, 2021, vaccination coverage stood at 44.9% for at least one dose received and at 22.3% for the full course. Vaccination coverage increased sharply among those aged 18–49. In contrast, the level of vaccination coverage among older adults, though high, was increasing only very slightly. It is therefore important to encourage vaccination for all individuals aged 18 and older, with specific measures to reach older adults in order to achieve a sufficient level of herd immunity.

Although epidemiological indicators continued to decline in S23, confirming the slowdown in viral circulation, the latter remained high in Île-de-France compared to other metropolitan regions. Thus, in the context of the ongoing lifting of collective restriction measures, incomplete vaccination coverage, and the circulation of variants of concern, it is essential to maintain a high level of adherence to individual prevention measures, including vaccination, testing, and isolation of cases and at-risk contacts.