There are 3 middle school students and 2 professionals from 3 different colleges that have been declared positive last Saturday. It is highlighted that they are related to each other. The detection is the result of a random contact tracing operation on May 25. Even though their contamination was not considered as serious and requiring the need of hospitalisation, the prefecture and the Regional Heath Agencies (ARS) have declared the health situation worrying, given the high contagious potential of this new variant.
Screening interest is on the Beta (South African), Gamma (Brazilian) and Delta (Indian) variants. But, the high contagiousness of the Delta variant, especially on the young population as it is the case in the 75 countries where it is active and growing prompts the Reunionese health authorities to continue additional screening operations; especially in one of the 3 colleges where one student was positive. The minor and his classmates are currently in isolation.
Given the confirmation of the presence of Delta Variant, the prefecture and the ARS are reminding the need of vaccination as from the age of 12. According to a very recent British study, vaccination is effective against the Delta variant that as well confirms the reduction in the risk of hospitalization for severe forms by 90% for people who have benefited from the two injections of the Pfizer vaccine.
Herd immunity through the rapid vaccination is announced as essential. To date, 26.1% of the population received a first injection and 17% have benefited from a complete vaccination.
