COVID-19: Epidemiological Update for November 18, 2021

Published on 18 November 2021

Key Points

In week 45, SARS-CoV-2 transmission intensified in mainland France, and the upward trend in new hospitalizations was confirmed.

Mainland France:
- Incidence rates* rising across all age groups and regions
- Testing rates* rising sharply among younger people due to the start of the school year
- New hospitalizations stable or rising in all regions
Overseas territories:
- A concerning situation in Réunion, where the incidence rate has risen sharply
- In French Guiana, a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 circulation and an improvement in hospital indicators

Nearly 100% of cases identified as the Delta variant through sequencing in the latest Flash survey (October 25–29, 2021)

In line with the end of the school break, an increase in the number of cases reporting attendance at a school and a decrease in mobility of cases outside their region of residence
Decrease in the time between the first clinical symptoms and diagnostic testing: it stands at 2.2 days following the significant increase observed in Week 44

Wave 29 of the CoviPrev survey (October 28–November 5):
- Increase in the proportion of unvaccinated individuals refusing to get tested if they have symptoms
Vaccination status as of November 16, 2021 (Covid Vaccine data):
- 76.9% of the population had received at least one dose, and 75.2% were fully vaccinated
- Among those aged 65 and older, 29.1% had received a booster dose; this rate rose to 68.1% among eligible individuals in this age group
Importance of combined measures: vaccination, including booster shots for those aged 65 and older, participation in contact tracing, and adherence to preventive measures

*Rate adjusted for the effect of public holidays (November 1 and 11). **Unconsolidated data