Key Points

• Last week, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remained stable compared to the previous week after 11 weeks of increases: an average of 114 cases were confirmed each day. The incidence rate fell from 295 to 275 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and the positivity rate dropped from 11.1% to 10.4%. The testing rate remained stable at a high level. This trend is observed on the island of Cayenne and in Savanes but not in the West and on the Maroni, where the number of cases increased (+17% in both areas).

• Hospitalizations, however, rose sharply, with 51 hospitalizations last week compared to 36 the week before and an average of 30 per week over the previous three weeks. Intensive care admissions also increased, with 6 admissions last week compared to 2 in the two preceding weeks.

• Finally, two new deaths occurred this week, bringing the total number of deaths in French Guiana since March 4 to 76.

• As of January 19, the effective reproduction number (R_eff) for confirmed cases was estimated at 1.05 [0.98–1.12], down from last week, reflecting the stability in confirmed cases last week.

• Epidemiological surveillance data suggest the beginning of a slowdown in infections, but this very recent trend will need to be confirmed in the coming weeks by a clear decline in the number of confirmed cases across all sectors.

• Hospitalizations in both general wards and intensive care units are on the rise, reflecting the increase in confirmed cases observed in French Guiana over the past several weeks; the impact on healthcare occurs with a lag of a few weeks relative to the rise in confirmed cases.

• These trends call for maintaining a high level of vigilance to limit infections and thus the occurrence of severe cases.

• As of January 20, 348 people have been vaccinated in French Guiana. Residents of long-term care facilities, healthcare workers over 75 years of age, and healthcare professionals over 50 years of age or those with underlying health conditions constitute the first priority group.