There has been a decline in all epidemiological indicators in metropolitan areas, with an improvement in the situation in Martinique and Guadeloupe, but not yet in French Guiana, where hospitalizations continued to rise. The incidence rate was declining across all age groups, except among 3- to 5-year-olds, where it remained stable. It remained high among young adults and those under 18, calling for heightened vigilance as the school year begins. In France, as of September 14, 2021, 73.9% of the population had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 70.0% were fully vaccinated. The CoviPrev survey shows a steady increase in vaccination uptake among the population but a decline in adherence to preventive measures. Given the improvement in the situation observed in recent weeks, the progress of vaccination remains essential and must continue to be combined with other preventive measures (adherence to preventive measures, limiting risky contacts, self-isolation while awaiting test results or in the event of a confirmed infection or contact with a confirmed case) even for vaccinated individuals. The combination of these measures is necessary to consolidate the current trend in the epidemic.

Incidence rate has been declining for four consecutive weeks in mainland France

Nationally, an average of 9,513 cases were diagnosed per day in week 36; the incidence rate (99 per 100,000 inhabitants) has decreased (-28%) for the fourth consecutive week across all age groups except among 3- to 5-year-olds, where it remained stable. The highest rates were among young adults: those aged 30–39 (149 per 100,000, -28%) and those aged 20–29 (145, -33%). The screening rate was decreasing in all age groups, except among 0-9-year-olds, where it had nearly doubled (2,078 in Week 36, +96%), and among 70-79-year-olds, where it remained stable. The highest rates were observed among 20- to 29-year-olds (11,018 per 100,000, -12%) and 30- to 39-year-olds (9,192, -8%). The positivity rate was down across all age groups, particularly among 0-9-year-olds (5.3 vs. 11.4, a decrease of 6.1%).

In mainland France, incidence rates decreased in all regions and were highest in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (225 per 100,000, -32%), Corsica (113, -18%), Île-de-France (107, -27%), and Occitanie (106, -34%). The testing rate was down or stable in all regions.

Decline in hospital and critical care admissions for the third consecutive week

In hospitals, new admissions were down for the third consecutive week, with 3,526 new hospitalizations (-17%) and 936 new admissions to intensive care (-8%). Hospital capacity remained high, with 9,800 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 currently hospitalized as of September 14 (vs. 10,707 on September 7, a decrease of 8%), including 2,013 in critical care (vs. 2,272 on September 7, a decrease of 11%). The highest rates of new hospitalizations were observed in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica, and Occitanie. COVID-19-related deaths (in hospitals and long-term care facilities) were also declining (605, -15%).

Mixed situations in the Overseas Territories: improvement in Martinique and Guadeloupe, but not in French Guiana

In the overseas territories, an improvement in the situation was observed in Martinique and Guadeloupe, where SARS-CoV-2 circulation continued to decline. In week 36, incidence rates were 286 per 100,000, a decrease of 32%, in Martinique and 257 per 100,000, a decrease of 51%, in Guadeloupe. However, despite declining hospital admissions, excess mortality persisted. In French Guiana, the incidence rate remained stable at a high level (421 per 100,000, -0.3%) and hospitalizations increased. In Réunion, the incidence rate was 96 (-39%) and in Mayotte, 42 (-20%).

Vaccination rates continue to rise, and this trend is expected to continue

On September 14, the estimated vaccination coverage in France based on Vaccin Covid was 73.9% for at least one dose and 70.0% for full vaccination. Among those aged 12 and older, 49,611,750 had received at least one dose (86.0%) and 46,946,252 (81.4%) were fully vaccinated.

As of September 14, 92.8% of residents in nursing homes (residential care facilities for dependent elderly individuals) or long-term care units (USLD) had received at least one dose of the vaccine (90.3% for full vaccination). Among healthcare professionals, vaccination coverage reached 89.8% for at least one dose among staff in nursing homes or long-term care units (up from 88.6% as of September 7), 89.3% (up from 88.1%) among salaried healthcare workers in healthcare facilities, and 95.0% among private practitioners (up from 93.9%).