Key Points

Following the 43% increase observed between weeks 31 and 32, the regional incidence continued to rise in week 33, albeit at a more modest rate (+16%), reaching 434 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This rate is higher than that observed during the peak of the third wave (411 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).

Although incidence has continued to rise in the Cayenne Island and Kourou-Macouria sectors, the sharpest increase is observed in the Western sector, confirming the onset of the fourth wave in this area. This rise is linked to the Delta variant, which has become the dominant strain in this sector as well as along the rest of the coastline. It now accounts for 87% of PCR tests screened in French Guiana.

The impact on hospitalizations of the rise in case numbers observed two weeks ago is confirmed: hospitalizations across all departments have increased by 20%. Admissions to intensive care are also on the rise, increasing to 18 admissions compared to 8 a week ago. These increases mainly concern the CHC, the sector most early impacted by the fourth wave.
Since Monday, 689 cases have already been confirmed, representing 55% of cases for week 33. The increase does not appear to be accelerating and continues at a pace similar to that of last week.

Vaccination coverage for a full course stands at 19.5% in the general population (versus 18.5% last week), reflecting the slow progress of vaccination. This remains insufficient to protect French Guiana collectively.
As the fourth wave is now affecting areas where the majority of French Guiana’s population resides, it is important to maintain strict preventive measures (wearing masks, handwashing, physical distancing) at a high level in all settings to slow the current spread and limit its impact, as well as the spread of the virus to less affected areas.