BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, BA.5… These sub-variants of the Omicron variant were detected during the last sequencing carried out on 341 samples taken from 8th March to 3rd April. Today is the 20th May! Should we understand that the sub-variants are widely circulating on the island? Nevertheless, the rate of positivity as well as the rate of admission remain low. The mortality rate is zero for this week, given that the death of the 60-year-old woman during the week was not estimated to be directly due to Covid 19.
Mauritius has several cases of the sub-variants that caused a new wave in South Africa. The BA.4 sub-variant was detected in 27 locals and 5 travelers while BA.5 has affected 3 locals. The remaining cases in this batch of 341 samples are BA.1, which is affecting 16 locals and 2 travelers, and BA.2, which is the most heavily reported, as it is affecting 275 locals, 9 travelers and 1 Rodriguan. However, there are 3 local cases, which are a combination of the BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants.
The rate of positivity for the week, detected via PCR tests, is 93 locals and 50 travelers. There has been 5 admissions in the regional hospitals. The New ENT Hospital has admitted 12 patients, of which 1 is under general observation and 11 are on oxygen. 4 of these patients are unvaccinated, 4 fully vaccinated and 3 partially vaccinated. For this Friday 20 May, the regional hospitals have 2 admissions, and the New ENT Hospital has 3 admissions.
Vaccination remains on track with 1,009,092 people having received their first dose and the second dose rate is 976,006. 634,180 people were inoculated with Booster Dose I, including 240,198 at Johnson & Johnson, 8,810 at Sinopharm, 2,825 at Astra Zeneca, 265,158 at Pfizer and 102,433 at Moderna. For the Booster Dose II, 6,825 people were inoculated, including 6,692 at Pfizer, 127 at Moderna, 5 at Johnson & Johnson and 1 at Sinopharm. For the adolescent campaign, 75,209 received the first dose of Pfizer and 69,97 the second dose.
In Rodrigues, 73.13% of the population has received the first dose, 71.97% the second and 14,756 the third.
