Key Points

Over the past three weeks, indicators of epidemic pressure have risen sharply, reflecting a resurgence of the epidemic in Réunion. In week 45, the incidence rate was around 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and the positivity rate was also close to the 5% alert threshold. The incidence rate has more than doubled among children aged 0–14, linked to an increase in clusters in schools. The number of clusters is also rising in workplaces. Disparities are observed between municipalities, with 6 municipalities reporting more than 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In terms of health impact, new hospital admissions and admissions to critical care were on the rise for the second consecutive week. The Delta variant remains largely predominant in Réunion.

Efforts to vaccinate must continue, as only 70.5% of the eligible population has been vaccinated. Furthermore, few people eligible for a booster dose have received the injection necessary to maintain their vaccine-induced immunity.

The increase in the number of new cases and clusters is linked to a relaxation of preventive measures. In this context of a resurgence of the epidemic, it is essential that we combine our efforts to continue vaccination efforts, strictly adhere to preventive measures, and conduct contact tracing to limit the spread of the virus.