In Réunion, the incidence rate has risen again, exceeding 300 cases per 100,000 residents. As of December 9 at 4:00 p.m., the Omicron variant had been detected in 59 patients. As of December 7, 76.1% of the total population was fully vaccinated. Among people aged 65 and older, 51.4% had received a booster dose.

Given the current high level of viral circulation, testing, rapid isolation at the first sign of symptoms or upon a positive test result, and contact tracing remain essential to limit the spread of the virus. Vaccination and booster doses, strict adherence to all preventive measures, ventilation of enclosed spaces, and reducing contact—particularly through telework—are crucial in the current epidemiological context to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and protect the healthcare system.

Incidence rate higher than during the peaks of the third and fourth waves

Nationally, the incidence rate rose by 44% and reached 448 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 48 (versus 312 in week 47). On average, nearly 43,000 cases were diagnosed each day. The rise in the incidence rate affects all age groups, with the highest rates observed among those under 50. It reached 628 per 100,000 inhabitants (+49%) among those aged 30–39 and 546 (+46%) among those aged 40–49.

Across the entire population, the testing rate rose sharply again, reaching 6,990 per 100,000 (+29%). The test positivity rate stood at 6.4% (+0.6 percentage points).

• In mainland France, the incidence rate exceeded 400 per 100,000 inhabitants in nine regions. It was highest in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (599, +52%), followed by Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (586, +40%), where the testing rate remained the highest (>8,000 per 100,000 inhabitants).

• In the overseas territories, the incidence rate continued to rise in Réunion (311, +22%) and remained stable in French Guiana (89, +0%). In Martinique, the incidence rate increased in week 48 despite a slight decline in testing due to social unrest.

Hospital indicators on the rise in nearly all regions

Nationally, the number of new hospitalizations continued to rise (5,856, +27%), as did admissions to intensive care (1,369, +33%) (unconsolidated data). As of December 7, 12,778 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, including 2,364 in critical care. Rates of new hospitalizations and critical care admissions were rising in nearly all age groups. A more significant increase was observed among people aged 50 to 79 for critical care admissions.

In week 48, there were 647 hospital deaths nationwide (+41% compared to week 47; unconsolidated data for week 48).

• In mainland France, weekly rates of new hospitalizations were rising across the entire country, except in Brittany, where they remained stable. New admissions to critical care increased in all regions, except in Brittany and Corsica, where a decrease was observed, and in Occitanie, where they remained stable. The highest rates of new hospitalizations were observed in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica, and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

• In the overseas territories, rates of new hospitalizations and critical care admissions remained highest in Martinique. New hospitalizations were rising in Réunion and slightly decreasing in French Guiana. A slight decrease in critical care admissions was observed in Réunion.

Variants: Delta is nearly the only variant circulating, with low-level circulation of B.1.640; 59 cases of Omicron detected on December 9, 2021, at 4:00 PM

The L452R mutation (carried mainly by the Delta variant) was detected in 97.4% of positive samples screened in week 48 (vs. 96.8% in week 47). Sequencing data confirm the near-exclusivity of the Delta variant, identified in 99.8% of interpretable sequences in mainland France during the Flash surveys of week 45 (November 8–10, out of 5,123 interpretable sequences) and week 46 (November 15–17, out of 3,372 interpretable sequences, unconsolidated data). In the overseas territories, Delta accounted for 100% of interpretable sequences during the Flash surveys conducted in the first three weeks of November. The Delta variant is also largely dominant internationally: it accounted for more than 99% of the 335,413 samples sequenced between November 8 and December 7, according to the international GISAID database.

The B.1.640 variant, classified as a VUM since the risk analysis of November 12, 2021, is being detected sporadically in several regions of mainland France and in Réunion. Clusters linked to B.1.640 have been detected in Normandy and in Hauts-de-France.

As of December 9 at 4:00 p.m., the Omicron variant had been detected in 59 samples in France. Data on variants are updated daily on the InfoCovidFrance dashboard.

Vaccination: More Than Three-Quarters of the Population Fully Vaccinated

On December 7, 2021, the estimated vaccination coverage based on Vaccin Covid was 77.7% for at least one dose, 76.1% for full vaccination, and 17.3% for the booster dose. Among those aged 12 and older, 90.4% had received at least one dose, and 88.5% were fully vaccinated. As of December 7, 94.0% of residents in nursing homes (residential care facilities for dependent elderly individuals) or long-term care units had received at least one dose of the vaccine, 92.7% were fully vaccinated, and 60.3% had received a booster dose.

As of December 7, 2021, 51.4% of those aged 65 and older had received a booster dose, and 76.4% of those aged 65 and older who were eligible for the booster dose as of that date had actually received it. Booster dose vaccination coverage varies by age group and department of residence.

• Focus: “COVID-19 Vaccination: Booster Dose” (page 8 of the PE)

Vaccination coverage (VC) data, previously calculated based on vaccination sites, are now expressed by the place of residence of vaccinated individuals. Vaccination coverage estimated in this way is better suited for comparison with levels of viral circulation in the regions. Since December 8, 2021, vaccination coverage by place of residence has been published on Géodes and data.gouv.fr the day after vaccination (D+1) and updated daily (metropolitan France only). Estimates for overseas territories will be available shortly. The publication of these CV estimates by place of residence includes the complete history since the start of the vaccination campaign and is carried out according to procedures equivalent to those previously in place.