Paris (AFP)

The overseas territories are experiencing contrasting developments in the Covid-19 epidemic, with the health emergency until November 15 in the West Indies, Guyana and Polynesia, while New Caledonia, Saint-Pierre-et- Miquelon and Wallis and Futuna currently have no more patients.

In addition, the government decided Wednesday to postpone to September 13 the start of the school year in the West Indies and in the "red" zone of Guyana.

- Polynesia -

The resumption of the epidemic, driven by the arrival of the Delta variant, overwhelmed French Polynesia where all health structures are saturated: 395 Polynesians were hospitalized on Friday, including 55 in intensive care.

The incidence rate reaches 2,731 cases of covid per 100,000 inhabitants

The Covid-19 caused 17 new deaths on Thursday in one day, bringing the total of Polynesian deaths to 370 since the start of the epidemic.

However, vaccination is progressing and the symbolic threshold of 100,000 fully vaccinated people was crossed Thursday.

A little less than one in two Polynesians has already received at least one dose of vaccine in this community of 280,000 inhabitants.

- Martinique -

In an attempt to curb a galloping epidemic which results in an explosion of serious forms and a saturation of hospitals, the prefect of Martinique has strengthened since August 10 the confinement that already existed during the day: beaches are prohibited, travel limited to one kilometer around the home, and with a certificate.

A curfew is applied throughout the territory from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The deserted streets of Fort-de-France, August 11, 2021 while confinement is required Lionel CHAMOISEAU AFP / Archives

As of August 24, Martinique had an incidence rate of 875 per 100,000, down over one week, and 22.5% of those over 12 had a complete vaccination schedule.

- Guadeloupe -

The hospitals and clinics that welcome covid patients have all activated their white plan.

The number of resuscitation beds in the territory has tripled, to 92 beds, and 26 patients had been evacuated to France on August 25.

Guadeloupeans are confined to 5 km around their home, and are subject to a curfew from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The prefecture decided last week that "the beaches, rivers and streams" will now be accessible only in the morning.

As of August 25, Guadeloupe had an incidence rate of 1,554.9 per 100,000, down from one week.

On the vaccination side, 32.82% of those over 12 have already had at least a first dose of vaccine.

- Saint-Barthélémy and Saint-Martin -

A curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. is in effect on both islands.

Only travel for compelling reasons is authorized and must be justified.

In Saint-Martin, 42.51% of people over 18 had received at least one dose of vaccine, compared to 73.35% in Saint-Barthélémy.

- Guyana -

A curfew is in place from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., as well as on Sunday, in a red zone in which the indicators are deteriorating (eight municipalities representing 62% of the population, including Cayenne and Kourou).

Daytime trips must be justified by a certificate.

The incidence rate is 448 per 100,000 inhabitants in the whole of Guyana, but it is 718 per 100,000 on the island of Cayenne.

In Guyana, 26.5% of those over 12 received two doses of the vaccine.

- Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon -

In this archipelago near Canada, where 84% of the population over 18 has received two doses of vaccine, the health situation is under control.

Unvaccinated people arriving on the territory by air or sea are placed in quarantine for a period of seven days, followed by a new PCR test.

- Mayotte -

With an incidence rate of 27.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, the island is experiencing a respite from the epidemic it experienced at the start of the year.

The restrictions have been relaxed since May 20.

Only unvaccinated travelers destined for the national territory, or the Union of the Comoros, remain subject to the obligation of a compelling reason.

- The meeting -

Despite an improvement in the epidemic situation, the partial confinement of the island, in force since early August, has been extended until September 5.

Almost 50% of the eligible population of Réunion has a complete vaccination schedule.

On Tuesday, the incidence rate was 226 per 100,000 inhabitants against nearly 342 the previous week.

However, the ARS highlighted a number of deaths "sharply increasing to reach an unprecedented weekly level" of 22 patients.

- New Caledonia -

New Caledonia is a "Covid free" territory.

As the virus does not circulate there, no health restrictions are currently applied there after the compulsory sanitary lock procedure.

Doctors and business leaders on Friday called on the government to make vaccination compulsory for all Caledonians as soon as possible.

The president of the government of New Caledonia Louis Mapou (separatist) had declared last week that the compulsory vaccination of the whole population was "no longer a taboo subject", given the risks of the Delta variant.

Only 32% of the population is vaccinated.

- Wallis and futuna -

The archipelago of Wallis and Futuna, where the first cases were detected in early March, became a Covid-19-free territory again in mid-July.

Any travel between the archipelago and mainland France or any destination other than New Caledonia must be motivated by a compelling reason.

© 2021 AFP