Key Points

• The situation is slowly improving in Réunion, with a decline in epidemiological indicators; however, viral circulation remained active throughout the territory. In week 24 of 2021, 7 municipalities had incidence rates exceeding 150 per 100,000 inhabitants.

• As of June 21, 2021, 223,120 people in Réunion had received at least one dose of the vaccine, of whom 156,251 had received two doses, representing a vaccination coverage rate of 25.9% for one dose and 17.9% for the full vaccination regimen in the general population.

• With the July-August vacation season and increased air travel, the introduction of new variants by infected travelers is possible, notably the Delta (Indian) variant, which is 60% more contagious than the Alpha (British) variant. The circulation of more transmissible variants contributes to the spread of the virus amid the gradual lifting of restrictions and the relaxation of preventive measures, which we can assume are being followed less and less.

• To help curb the epidemic, it is essential for residents of Réunion as well as for all travelers entering the territory to:

  • get vaccinated

  • follow preventive measures and limit contact

  • get tested as soon as clinical symptoms appear, or if exposed to a high-risk contact

  • self-isolate while awaiting results

  • if a COVID-19 infection is confirmed, notify the people with whom you had close contact as soon as possible, and self-isolate for 10 days following confirmation of the diagnosis

  • self-isolate for 7 days if you’ve had close contact with a case outside your household, and self-isolate for 17 days if you’ve had close contact with a case in the same household (i.e., 7 days in addition to the 10-day isolation period for the case)