9,358 new cases and 10 deaths in one week in Reunion Island –

The prefecture and the Regional Health Agency announced this Tuesday, January 4, 9,358 new cases of coronavirus and 10 deaths from December 25 to 31 in Reunion. The incidence rate has doubled and now stands at 1,093.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.



The prefecture of Reunion and the Regional Health Agency announced this Tuesday, January 4, 9,358 new cases of coronavirus and 10 deaths in the island from December 25 to 31. The deterioration of the health situation is accelerating further.

It reflects the now strong presence of the Omicron variant, alongside the Delta variant which still remains in the majority. The hospitals have already started to deprogram operations in order to be able to increase this reception capacity.

Ten patients from Reunion have died. Nine had comorbidities and eight were not vaccinated. The 2 vaccinated people presented with comorbidities.

The incidence rate almost doubled to reach last Friday, the 31st, 1,093.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, once morest 561.6 / 100,000 the previous week. This Tuesday, the incidence rate exceeds the threshold of 1,300 / 100,000.

Augmentation of the Omicron variant

From 25 to 31 December, 7,212 positive tests were screened to identify a mutation: 6,305 cases presented one of the specific mutations under surveillance, that is to say a proportion of 87.4% of which 73.7% of the delta variant. The share of the Omicron variant is therefore increasing.

An incidence rate of 1,093.3 / 100,000 inhabitants

9,358 cases were identified in 7 days ( once morest 4,807 the previous week). Over the last week, screenings have increased: 76,913 ( once morest 61,726 last week). The positivity rate is up to 12.2%.%. The highest positivity rates are among 0-14 year olds and 25-34 year olds.

The weekly incidence rate has risen sharply to 1,093.3 / 100,000 inhabitants ( once morest 561.6 the previous week). The number of daily cases is 1,337 once morest 686 the previous week.

The highest positivity rates concern three age groups in particular:

  • people aged 0 to 14: 14.3%
  • people aged 25-34: 13%
  • people aged 15-24: 12.4%

76,913 tests performed

The number of screenings carried out during the week is up compared to last week with 76,913 tests carried out, a level equivalent to that of 2 weeks ago.

Among the 9,358 new cases during the period, 55 imported cases were recorded.

Taking into account the 72,447 recoveries and 419 deaths since the start of the health crisis, 13,098 cases are still active to date.

85,960 cases have been investigated to date by ARS, Public Health France and Health Insurance since the start of the epidemic.

41 intensive care patients

As of January 4, 41 intensive care beds were occupied by patients positive for Covid-19, out of the 95 beds installed in Reunion.

For people admitted to intensive care since December 1:

  • 44% are men and 56% women;
  • 2% are aged 0-14, 25% are aged 15-44, 42% are aged 45-64, 24% are aged 65-74, and 7% are over 75;
  • 87% present with comorbidities.

90% of patients did not have a complete vaccination schedule.

91 active clusters

As of December 30, 2021, there were 91 active clusters and 610 closed clusters.

Among the 53 active clusters:

  • 25 clusters are classified as high criticality: Le Port (2), Le Tampon (2), Saint-Philippe (1), Saint-Benoît (1), Saint-Leu (1), Saint-Denis (9), Sainte- Marie (1), Saint-Joseph (2), Saint-Pierre (4) and Saint Paul (2).
  • 28 clusters are classified as moderate criticality: La Possession (2), Le Port (4), Le Tampon (2), Les Avirons (1), Etang Salé (1), Saint-André (2), Saint-Denis (5), Sainte-Marie (2), Sainte-Suzanne (1), Saint-Louis (2), Saint-Paul (3) and Saint Pierre (3).

Evolution of isolation and quarantine rules

In order to take into account the extremely rapid evolution of the distribution of the Omicron variant in France, the isolation and quarantine times are changing from January 3, 2022.

As the distribution of the Omicron variant is extremely rapid, a significant number of people will be infected in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, the incubation time of the Omicron variant is faster than for the previous variants, favoring a reduction in the isolation time.

These elements, combined with the acceleration of the vaccination campaign and the reminder of the essential implementation of barrier measures, make it possible to consider reducing and adjusting the durations of isolation.

Positive people:

From January 3, 2022, the isolation rules are the same for positive people regardless of the variant (Delta or Omicron).

  • For positive people with a complete vaccination schedule (booster carried out in accordance with the requirements of the health pass) and for children under 12 years old

Isolation is now for a period of 7 days following the date of the onset of signs or the date the positive test was taken. However, following 5 days, the positive person can be released from isolation under two conditions:

  • she performs an antigen test or RT-PCR and it is negative
  • she has had no clinical signs of infection for 48 hours

If the test carried out is positive or if the person does not perform a test: their isolation is maintained for 7 days. She does not perform a second test on D7.

  • For positive people with an incomplete vaccination schedule (booster not performed) and for unvaccinated people

Isolation is 10 days (full) following the date of the onset of signs or the date the positive test was taken.

However, following 7 days, the positive person can be released from isolation under two conditions:

  • she performs an antigen test or RT-PCR and it is negative
  • she has had no clinical signs of infection for 48 hours

If the test is positive or if the person does not take a test, isolation is 10 days.

The new quarantine rules for contacts

The quarantine rules for contact persons are the same whether we are in contact with a positive person who lives in the same household or not.

  • For contacts with a complete vaccination schedule (reminder carried out in accordance with the requirements of the health pass)

There is no longer a quarantine, however the contact persons must:

  • strictly apply barrier measures, and in particular wearing a mask indoors and outdoors,
  • limit their contact and avoid any contact with people at risk of a severe form of Covid,
  • telecommute whenever possible.

In addition, contact persons must perform a TAG or RT-PCR test as soon as they learn that they are in contact, then perform self-tests on D2 and D4 following the last contact with the positive person. If the self-test is positive, the result should be confirmed by a TAG or an RT-PCR test. If the test is positive, the person becomes a case and begins isolation.

  • For contact persons with an incomplete vaccination schedule and for unvaccinated contact persons

These people must respect isolation for a period of 7 days (full) from the date of the last contact. For contact persons living in the same household, isolation begins on the same day as the positive person and ends on D7.

To get out of quarantine, these people must perform an antigen test or RT-PCR on D7 and have a negative result. If the test is positive, the person becomes a case and begins isolation.

  • For children under 12

For children under 12 contact, in the school environment, the national education protocol applies.

This results in the performance of a TAG or RT-PCR test for all the students in the class as soon as a case appears in the class, and return to class upon presentation of the negative result.

In addition, the students carry out self-tests on D2 and D4. Parents must present a certificate on their honor that these tests have been carried out and their negative result on D2 and D4 to allow the pupil to stay in class.

Self-tests are paid for by Health Insurance and delivered free of charge in pharmacies following the test has been carried out on D0.

Immunization update

From December 27 to January 2, 26,580 injections were performed on the island.

As of January 2, 533,382 people have a complete vaccination schedule and 548,016 people have received at least one injection.

  • 78% of the eligible population (over 12 years old) are involved in a vaccination course, i.e. 64% of the total population,
  • 76% of the eligible population have a complete vaccination schedule, i.e. 62.3% of the total population.

If more than 170,000 people have recalled to date, there are still 274,000 people eligible for this recall who still have not done so.

The recommendations

Faced with the acceleration of viral circulation, the prefecture and the ARS recall the need to:

  • Wear the mask in public spaces and in closed places (workplace, shops, transport and any covered gathering place).
  • Wash your hands regularly or use a hydro-alcoholic solution and avoid touching your face
  • Respect a distance of at least two meters from others and limit social contacts as much as possible
  • Air out the rooms in your home or workplace as often as possible
  • Greet without shaking hands and avoid hugs
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a disposable tissue
  • Use the TousAntiCovid application in particular to be informed of a contact with a positive person.

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