Key Points

Since early March, 9,251 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in French Guiana. As was the case last week, an average of 38 cases have been confirmed each day since the last epidemiological update. Eight weeks after the peak and for the first time, the weekly incidence has remained stable at 90 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while the weekly testing rate remains above 1,000 tests per 100,000 inhabitants. As of September 1, the effective reproduction number (R_e) stands at 0.95.

New hospitalizations continued to decline, falling by 10%, though this decline is more pronounced in the west than along the coast. Intensive care admissions and deaths remained stable, with 5 admissions and 3 deaths last week. French Guiana has recorded 61 hospital deaths to date.

At the regional level,

• On Cayenne Island and in the Savanes area, the trend is stable

• In Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, the decline in confirmed cases continues but at a slower pace than in previous weeks

• In the Maroni region, the recent trend is upward, with 45 confirmed cases last week

• In Oyapock, the trend is stable, with fewer than 20 confirmed cases last week

The decline in the epidemic is therefore slower than in the weeks following the peak. The regional incidence remains relatively high, strongly encouraging the continued use of preventive measures in daily life to limit transmission and thus prevent an early resurgence of the epidemic and flatten the curve. As collective measures are eased, mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and physical distancing must be maintained at a high level in all settings (workplaces, schools, public spaces, etc.). The most vulnerable are protected only by the responsible actions of those around them. Getting tested, even without symptoms, is an opportunity to protect yourself and your loved ones. Remember that anyone can now get tested without a doctor’s prescription. This testing is fully covered by health insurance.

The “Test, Trace, Isolate” strategy must also be continued: efforts to identify, test, and prevent the spread of the virus continued last week. This coordination between the Regional Health Agencies (ARS), laboratory technicians, the French Red Cross, Doctors of the World, and local authorities is essential, as is the contact tracing of all confirmed cases by the National Health Insurance teams.