Key Points

• COVID-19 Surveillance

  • Multi-source, consisting of systems designed to be comprehensive and/or descriptive;

  • Enabling the tracking and description of the epidemic;

  • First-time implementation of a system to centrally and responsively aggregate all diagnostic tests for a disease (SI-DEP available starting in May 2020) and vaccination data (VAC-SI).

• Study periods for the preparation of this BSP

  • From March 2020 to mid-October 2021

  • That is, 4 periods covering the 4 epidemic waves in Guadeloupe. The islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy experienced 3 and 2 epidemic waves, respectively.

• Epidemic dynamics in Guadeloupe

  • Influenced by regional characteristics (frequent travel to mainland France and the Caribbean islands, insufficient vaccination coverage, limited adherence to preventive measures during certain periods, etc.);

  • Epidemic dynamics reflected in all data sources;

  • Epidemic resurgences during or after school vacation periods amid the lifting of containment measures and limited adherence to preventive measures, followed by insufficient vaccination coverage;

  • Period 1: March to May 2020: featuring a first wave, from March 9 to April 12, 2020, characterized by limited viral circulation and a limited impact on the healthcare system thanks to the implementation of the first lockdown;

  • Period 2: August to late December 2020: featuring a second wave, from August 10 to November 22, 2020, of moderate intensity and with a limited health impact. Its onset was linked to festive gatherings involving people who had traveled during the summer vacation period;

  • Period 3: January to the end of May 2021: a third wave, from February 8 to June 6, 2021, more severe than the previous one, triggered by the introduction of the Alpha variant (20I/501Y.V1, English);

  • Period 4: June to mid-October 2021: with a fourth wave, from July 12 to October 17, 2021, of high intensity and severe health impact on the hospital system (numerous deaths and medical evacuations to mainland France), with the Alpha variant persisting at the start of the wave but very quickly replaced by the Delta variant, against a backdrop of insufficient vaccination coverage.

• Key data for Guadeloupe from March 2020 to mid-October 2021 (part of the fourth period)

  • 495,653 (68%) people tested, of whom 54,355 (52%) tested positive;

  • 3,683 (54%) new hospitalizations, including 891 (50.8%) in critical care; 830 (63%) deaths in hospitals and during home hospitalization since the 4th period;

  • 664 (42%) cases reported by intensive care units; median age of 60 years (57 years); presence of comorbidities in over 83% (87%) of them; median length of stay of 8 days, resulting in death in 36% (36%) of cases. Overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes were the main risk factors among patients admitted to an intensive care unit;

  • 5,915 (53%) emergency department visits for suspected COVID-19;

  • 45,285 (50%) outpatient visits for acute respiratory infection;

  • Mid-October (Week 41):

    • 34.2% of the general population had received one dose of the vaccine and 31.0% had completed the full course; 39.4% of the population aged 12 and older had received one dose and 35.7% had completed the full course;

    • Among nursing home residents, 62.3% had received one dose and 54% had completed the full vaccination series;

    • Among healthcare workers in nursing homes, 62.1% had received one dose and 52.8% had completed the full vaccination series;

    • Among private healthcare professionals, 78.7% had received one dose and 72.5% had completed the full vaccination series.