Zero Covid Strategy in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon: A Decryption Article by Santé Publique France

2024-01-10 20:37:23

Published by Santé Publique France, the document looks at the management of the covid crisis in the archipelago. Unlike France, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon have chosen a “zero covid” policy, which has allowed better protection of the population.

Written by five specialists, including three from the territory from the François-Dunan Hospital Center, the Health Center and the Territorial Health Agency, the decryption article published on the Santé Publique France website traces the management of the covid crisis in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon from March 2020 to May 2022.

In March 2020, the authorities of the archipelago decided to implement the “zero covid” strategy, also established in countries such as China, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, but not in mainland France. This strategy aims to “keep an incidence rate equal to or very close to zero”, according to the document, that is to say, to maintain very low contamination by identifying each case. Result: the archipelago experienced a very low health impact in the face of the coronavirus.

According to the article, the prefecture – in agreement with the ATS – established the “zero covid” policy well before the arrival of the virus in the territory, since the active circulation of the virus was detected from November 2021. The head start gained on the spread has made it possible to prepare health structures and vaccinate the population more quickly.

Between travel restrictions, physical distancing, the use of masks and a strict six-week lockdown, the territory has experienced a “strong isolation” according to the article, which lasted for a year and a half.

All adults had access to vaccination from March 2021 and 12-17 year olds were able to be vaccinated from July 2021. According to the article, 67% of 18-29 year olds, 75% of 30-64 year olds years and 74% of those aged 65 and over had received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine following five weeks. All age groups combined, around 70% of the population have received three doses of vaccine and more than 80% have received both doses in May 2022.

According to data made available by Santé Publique France (not available for Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia and New Caledonia), Saint-Pierre and Miquelon was the only French overseas department to have its population vaccinated before any community spread of the virus. In the end, only one death linked to coronavirus was recorded in the archipelago.

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