Key Points

The outbreak continues throughout the territory, which remains classified as having a high vulnerability level. Since the emergence of COVID-19, a total of 2,842 cases have been confirmed in Mayotte. In total, 11,722 people have undergone at least one PCR test, representing 4.2% of the population.

The weekly case count peaked at 387 new cases in week 19. After a steady decline between weeks 19 and 28, the indicators are rising again, as evidenced by the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases, which increased by 70.8% between weeks 28 and 29; the positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 tests has once again exceeded the 10% alert threshold (10.4% in week 29, compared to 7.8% in week 28), and the incidence rate, which remains above the vigilance threshold of 10 per 100,000 inhabitants (29 cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 17 in week 28).

As of July 22, 2020, a total of 17 clusters (excluding small family clusters) have been reported since the start of the epidemic, one of which is active. The other 16 clusters have now been contained thanks to the systematic isolation of cases, the identification and 14-day quarantine of contacts, and testing efforts.

Epidemiological indicators reflect viral circulation as well as the testing strategy and its implementation. Between weeks 22 and 28, large-scale testing campaigns were conducted as part of the resumption of business and administrative activities (situations posing an epidemic risk). These operations may have contributed to a decrease in the positivity rate (many tests performed and few positive cases detected). Over the past two weeks, contact tracing has become systematic, which, conversely, tends to increase the positivity rate.

In addition, the systematic testing of travelers wishing to visit Réunion will significantly increase the number of people tested each week and may lead to the detection of asymptomatic cases with no confirmed contact with a confirmed case.

Indicators derived from monitoring emergency department visits are not presented in this epidemiological update. A significant decline in these indicators was observed during week 28, which may be partly explained by changes in coding procedures. The coming weeks will confirm whether or not this decline is sustained.

The severity of the disease is relatively low in the department. Indeed, while active surveillance of severe cases in the intensive care unit at the Mayotte Hospital Center identified 72 ICU admissions, slightly less than half were hospitalized for a severe pulmonary form of the disease. For one in four patients, the disease was discovered incidentally.

The continued circulation of the virus in the department and the persistence of high epidemiological indicators strongly call for maintaining the highest level of vigilance and responsiveness.