It is of concern that 20 deaths have been recorded by the Ministry in one week. Of the 374 positive cases recorded this week, we count 9 passengers. In Rodrigues the situation is not less worrying with 3 positive cases. However, the vaccination campaign continues without any complicated cases, even among teenagers. On the other hand, wearing a mask is no longer compulsory in certain places and for certain activities.
Overview of the pandemic situation
PCR tests are reserved for non-vaccinated and symptomatic people. As announced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Kailesh Jagutpal, “The results of the 374 positive cases are following about 1500 PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests done since last Friday 8th October. As for the 9 passengers detected on arrival at the SSSRIA, they were contacted 5 hours after their tests. They are currently in isolation for 10 days.”
Deaths explained
The 20 deaths directly linked to the virus were patients of advanced age and with comorbidities. They were admitted to all 5 hospitals and to New ENT Hospital. At the same treatment centre, 31 positive patients were admitted of which 5 are on life support ventilators and only 1 is vaccinated, 16 are on oxygen and 10 are under observation. The total number of patients admitted to the various hospitals for Covid 19 is 197 as of this Friday.
As for the quarantine, it concerns only passengers who amount to 227 passengers. Furthermore, we will know the results of the Sequencing only from next week. It takes 2 weeks to detect the exact nature of these Covid 19 viruses.
In Rodrigues, a new case has been detected in a passenger on Thursday 14th October. He joins the other two who are duly vaccinated. All three are asymptomatic, in isolation and in stable condition. Three officers from the Ministry have travelled to manage and observe the patients.
Vaccination
We have reached 70% of the population vaccinated with one dose, i.e. 88, 8684 and 832,878, i.e. 65% of the population eligible for the two doses. The number of the third dose and booster shot is 11,723. As for the under-18s, 22,658 adolescents have been vaccinated at Pfizer
In Rodrigues, there are 24,543 adolescents who have been primo vaccinated, i.e. 56.4% of the population, and 24,800 who have been double vaccinated, i.e. 55.1%.
Doses and centres
For those who have not yet received their first dose, they will be inoculated with Sputnik V in 7 centres. The AstraZeneca 2nd dose vaccine is given in 2 vaccination centres while stocks last and the AstraZeneca 3rd dose is given in all 5 hospitals. The Sinopharm third and booster dose is given in 8 vaccination centres. The minister was keen to point out that Sinopharm is not out of stock, but also that Johnson & Johnson will not be. “We will receive 180,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson from the African Union in the coming weeks,” he said.
Relocation of two vaccination centres
The Pandit Sahadeo gymnasium in Vacoas is no longer functioning as an immunisation centre. The operations have been transferred to the Paillotte Multicomplex Hall. As for the National Sports Complex in Côte d’Or, the population is asked to go to the Farmers Centre in St Pierre. Both Centres are resuming sports activities. Vaccinations are only available by appointment at the International Vaccination Centre, at the Mutual Aid building in Port Louis.
Imposition of mask relaxed
It will only affect certain places and activities. Effective as from the evening of Friday 15th October, masks will no longer be required in gyms and other sports centres, during outdoor walking, parks and water activities and fishing. The mask will no longer be imposed in sectors of activity such as agriculture and any other place of work where the person works alone or away from others. In sum, the wearing of masks is made more flexible in all those places where physical distance is respected. In restaurants, consumers at the table may remain without masks.
