Covid remains the unavoidable news. With a decrease of cases recorded in Mauritius and Rodrigues at the beginning of this week, the health authorities would even be in favor of a relaxation of the sanitary restrictions starting with the places of worship.
Fewer cases
Positive cases are decreasing. Mauritius has recorded 54 new cases and 46 new admissions, including 1 at the New ENT Hospital on Monday 21st March. In Rodrigues, the number of cases is 25 for the last 24 hours, according to the official page of the Regional Assembly of Rodrigues as well as 2 admissions in the treatment centers. The estimated number of active cases is 212.
4 deaths already
Nevertheless, Mauritius has recorded 4 deaths since the last weekly count of the ministry. As of Saturday 19th March, the police has been informed of the death of a 59 year old positive patient, living in Quatre Bornes, who had been admitted to the ENT Hospital. From the Hospital Dr. A.G. Jeetoo, the death reported is that of a man, aged 32 years and resident of Cité La Cure, who had been admitted for an acute pulmonary infection since early 2022. As of Monday 21st March, 2 other deaths of positive cases, admitted to the New ENT Hospital, have been reported to the police. They are two patients, aged 73 and 86 years, who were inhabitants of Plaine Magnien and Quatre-Bornes respectively.
Vaccination in progress
Vaccination is progressing. As of Monday 21st March, 100,31,35 people have received the first dose, 967,961 the second and 561,626 people the third/booster dose. In Rodrigues, at the last count, 32, 119 or 72.63% of the population received the first dose, 31,503 or 71.24% the second and 11,331 the third.
Probable ease of protocols
We are a few days away from the end of March, deadline of the extended sanitary restrictions which have been in force since 12th November 2021. The decrease in the number of infections and deaths as well as the increasing vaccination rate and mandatory vaccination of civil servants sharpen the announcement of a relaxation of the sanitary restrictions. The discussion is open about the places of worship that would be able to accommodate 50 people at a time instead of 10. The fate of the other gatherings, which currently number 50, is also being considered. Nevertheless, the compulsory wearing of masks and the minimum physical distance of one meter will remain in all eventualities!
