Key Points

In week 33, epidemiological indicators showed the beginning of a slowdown in the circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Île-de-France, though transmission levels remained high. The incidence rate declined for the first time in several weeks, as did the indicators for new hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care. However, against the backdrop of the end of the summer vacation period and the return of residents to the Île-de-France region, widespread transmission of the Delta variant, declining public adherence to preventive measures, and still-incomplete vaccination coverage, the onset of this decline remains to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

In Île-de-France, the regional incidence rate for Week 33 was 181 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and was decreasing after seven weeks of rising trends. The decline in the incidence rate was marked among adults aged 15 to 64 and particularly among those aged 15–29. Unlike the trend observed in S32, the testing rate decreased slightly in S33 among residents of the Île-de-France region. The positivity rate, meanwhile, stabilized.

In Week 33, the proportion of primary care visits for “suspected COVID-19” decreased slightly both at SOS Médecins clinics and in emergency departments. At the hospital level, new hospitalizations and admissions to critical care units declined in S33 for the first time after six weeks of increases. The number of new hospital deaths among COVID-19 patients stabilized after four weeks of increases.

As of August 23, 69.5% of the Île-de-France population of all ages had received at least one vaccine dose, and 61.1% were fully vaccinated. In Week 33, the rate of increase in vaccination coverage with at least one dose continued to slow down since Week 31, across all age groups.

Against a backdrop of continued high viral circulation, widespread transmission of the Delta variant, and with the end of the summer season and the start of the school year approaching, vaccination of all eligible individuals must continue to be strongly encouraged and must be accompanied by high adherence to other preventive measures.