Key Points

• COVID-19 Surveillance

  • Multi-source, consisting of systems designed to be comprehensive and/or descriptive

  • Enabling the tracking and description of the epidemic in all its aspects

  • First-time implementation of a system to centralize all diagnostic tests for a disease in real time (available starting in May 2020)

• Study period for the completion of this BSP

  • From March 2020 to early October 2021

  • Covering the first four waves of the epidemic, with the latest wave nearing completion.

    • Wave 1 – late May to late September 2020 (weeks 21–2020 to 38–2020)

    • Wave 2 – mid-November to mid-February 2021 (weeks 47–2020 to 5–2021)

    • Wave 3 – late March to early August (weeks 12–2021 to 31–2021)

    • Wave 4 – starting in early August (week 32-2021, nearing completion)

• Epidemic dynamics in French Guiana

  • Influenced by regional characteristics (constant travel to and from mainland France and Latin America, the territory’s size and low population density, disadvantaged populations, insufficient vaccination coverage)

  • Epidemic dynamics reflected in all data sources

  • A first wave that was less intense and shorter than in other regions, but which placed significant strain on the healthcare system

  • A ^second wave in late 2020, of moderate intensity, with no major health impact

  • A third wave (Gamma in March 2021) and a fourth wave immediately afterward (Delta in August 2021) of high intensity and severe health impact, sweeping across the region from east to west, against a backdrop of insufficient vaccination coverage

• Key data for French Guiana (November 2021)

  • 451,317 people tested and 44,308 identified as positive

  • 4,649 hospitalizations, including 685 in critical care; 312 deaths in the hospital

  • 480 cases reported by sentinel intensive care units; median age of 61; 90% had one or more comorbidities; median length of stay of 9 days

  • Very few cases reported and no significant mortality reported in long-term care facilities

  • 48% of people aged 65 to 74 had received at least one dose; 43.6% had completed the full vaccination series by November 2021

  • 39.1% of those aged 12 and older had received at least one dose; 33.8% had completed the full vaccination series by November 2021

  • A cumulative total of 17 weeks of lockdown and 32 weeks of curfew since March 2020.

  • In 2021, during the third and fourth waves, 8.4% of those who tested positive were hospitalized, 20% of whom were in intensive care.

  • 9.7% of all people admitted to the hospital died, amounting to 222 deaths during the third and fourth waves.