Key Points

Last week, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose: an average of 75 cases were confirmed each day. The incidence rate rose from 134 to 181 cases per 100,000 residents, while the testing rate remained stable. The positivity rate has also increased. These data point to an upward trend in confirmed cases in French Guiana.

This trend is observed across all regions of French Guiana except for Maroni, where the epidemiological situation remained stable last week.
The number of people seeking care for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (visits to primary care physicians and emergency room visits) is also gradually increasing.

Hospitalizations and ICU admissions have remained stable, with an average of 30 hospitalizations and 3 ICU admissions per week over the past three weeks. A lag between the curves of confirmed cases and hospitalizations was observed during the first wave in French Guiana, prompting vigilance in light of the recent increase in confirmed cases. Finally, one new death was reported last week and another this week, bringing the total number of deaths in French Guiana since March 4 to 73. As of January 5, the effective reproduction number (R_eff) for confirmed cases was estimated at 1.07 [0.98–1.17], up from last week.

While the holiday season—marked by travel and gatherings with family and friends—has ended, epidemiological indicators are on the rise, prompting a continued high level of vigilance to limit transmission and severe cases requiring hospitalization.

It is also strongly recommended that travelers arriving in French Guiana get tested 3–4 days after arrival to limit secondary transmission within the territory.