After several months of excess mortality, the number of deaths from all causes has returned to expected levels. As of June 15, 2021, 46% of the population had received one dose of the vaccine, and only 25% of the population was fully vaccinated. Furthermore, new estimates of vaccination coverage among healthcare workers show variations depending on their place of practice. Increasing vaccination coverage across all target groups remains a major challenge for the coming weeks, given the emergence of the Delta variant and several documented outbreaks of community transmission. High compliance among the general population with preventive measures and adherence to isolation in the event of infection or contact with a confirmed case remain essential to sustain the current favorable trend over the long term.

For the first time since the summer of 2020, the incidence rate has fallen below 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants

Nationally, 26,832 new cases were confirmed in week 23, averaging approximately 3,800 cases per day. The incidence rate was sharply declining, at 40 per 100,000 inhabitants (-41% compared to week 22). This sharp decline was observed across all age groups and in all metropolitan regions. Testing and positivity rates were declining (to 2,784 per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease of 7% compared to Week 22, and 1.4%, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points compared to Week 22). In the overseas territories, the situation remained concerning in French Guiana, which had the highest incidence, hospitalization, and intensive care admission rates in France. In Réunion, these indicators were high but declining compared to S22.

Decrease in hospital admissions and deaths

The decline in the number of new hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units, observed since Week 15, continued in Week 23 (-28% and -26% compared to Week 22, respectively). The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients continued to decline as of June 15, 2021, with 11,954 patients hospitalized, including 1,965 in critical care units.

The number of deaths from all causes and across all age groups has returned to within the usual range of fluctuation since Week 20. Deaths among hospitalized COVID-19 patients continued to decline in Week 23 (-35%), and those occurring in social and medico-social institutions (ESMS) remained at a very low level.

The proportion of the Delta variant, although still a minority, is increasing

A new national strategy for systematic RT-PCR screening of SARS-CoV-2 positive tests was implemented starting May 31, 2021. From now on, the screening kits used target the three mutations of interest—E484K, E484Q, and L452R—enabling reactive monitoring of the spread of variants carrying these mutations of interest at the national level and in the most affected regions, complementing the national genomic surveillance strategy. The data published in today’s Epidemiological Update represent an initial assessment and will be closely monitored in the coming weeks to evaluate changes in the circulation of the various variants across the country.

Data from Flash Survey #10 (dated May 25, 2021) confirmed the predominance of the Alpha variant of concern and showed that the proportion of variants carrying the E484K or E484Q mutations had stabilized at 11.8% (13.0% in Flash #9 and 11.0% in Flash #8), although this proportion remained high.

The Delta variant remained in the minority, although an increase in this variant was observed in genomic surveillance data. Furthermore, several localized community transmission clusters linked to the Delta variant or suspected Delta variants based on screening data were reported. This emergence of the Delta variant is being monitored with the utmost attention, given its increased transmissibility compared to reference viral strains and the Alpha VOC, a possible increase in the severity of infection, and preliminary data suggesting slightly reduced vaccine efficacy, especially with an incomplete vaccination regimen.

One-quarter of the French population is fully vaccinated

As of June 15, 2021:

• 30,807,893 people had received at least one dose of vaccine, representing 46% of the population

• 16,583,850 had completed the full vaccination regimen, representing 25% of the population

More than one-third of young adults (ages 18 to 24) have received a first dose of the vaccine. However, vaccination coverage, although high among older adults, has struggled to increase in recent weeks, highlighting the need to encourage and facilitate access to vaccination for older adults who have not yet been vaccinated through targeted and specific initiatives.

The method for estimating COVID-19 vaccination coverage among residents in nursing homes (EHPAD) or long-term care facilities (USLD) has changed. Vaccination coverage rates are derived from a sample (or cohort) compiled by the CNAM. This new method for estimating vaccination coverage among residents in nursing homes (EHPAD) or long-term care facilities (USLD) showed that vaccination coverage is high: 88% of residents had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 81% were fully vaccinated.