Summary

What is currently known about the situation in our regions?

The low circulation of COVID-19, observed for several weeks in our territories, is based on the analysis of several virus monitoring and surveillance indicators. The infection of the most recent confirmed case dates back to April 10 in Guadeloupe and April 24 in Saint Martin.

What’s new in this update for the region?

The downward trend in surveillance indicators in the community and in hospitals continues. Since the last epidemiological update, two confirmed cases have been identified in Guadeloupe and one in Saint Martin among the 200 confirmed cases recorded across the three territories between early March and May 12, 2020. Community testing activity has increased significantly, with more than 500 samples collected last week (W19*), compared to 341 in W18* and 44 in W17*. The positivity rate in community testing remains negligible (<1%). Since the emergence of COVID-19 in our territories, there have been thirteen deaths in Guadeloupe and three in Saint Martin, all of which occurred in hospitals.

Special attention is needed as we enter this post-lockdown period

Monday, May 11, 2020, marks the lifting of lockdown in France. The challenge now is to ensure that Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy remain among the regions least affected by the epidemic. New monitoring indicators have been implemented to track the evolving situation. Thus, the identification of clusters and the implementation of rapid and adequate preventive measures will help maintain low viral circulation. All efforts regarding protective measures, physical distancing, and contact tracing must be maintained at the highest level.

*: for week S17 (April 20–26, 2020), week S18 (April 27–May 3, 2020), and week S19 (May 4–10, 2020)