PHA reviews health measures, gives update on monkey pox situation in Seychelles   |15 July 2022

Dr Gedeon and Dr Louange during the press conference yesterday (Photo: Joena Meme)

All revised measures in regards to Covid-19 remain the same except for mandatory wearing of face mask in public transport and indoor areas.

This was announced by Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon, yesterday during a press conference held at the Seychelles Hospital, Mont Fleuri.

Also present was the chief executive of the Health Care Agency, Dr Danny Louange.

Public transport such as buses, taxis, planes and ferries still require travellers to wear a face mask whereas indoor areas depend on the organisations and their SOPs (standard operating procedures).

These updates on the health measures came after the targeted mid-July review since the previous measures came into place. 

Dr Gedeon gave a summary of the current situation of Covid-19 in Seychelles indicating the implication in terms of public health and social measures (PHSM) discussed since mid-June after the platinum meeting.

Since the beginning of the year the health authority has been actively monitoring the situation in the country to see whether they are going to move forward in revision of the public health and social measures. With the gradual drop and the number of active cases currently at 263 in the country with most cases on Mahé, the decision has been made to keep the existing measures.

Dr Gedeon did not specify on the ‘sunset clause’ for the public health emergency under the Public Health Act however he maintained that the public health emergency remains enforced to “allow for taking certain actions immediately”.

A sunset clause is defined as “a clause in a statute or regulation that expires automatically on a specified date that can be renewed”. It is set in place to ensure that human rights, political maneuvering and bypass budgetary constraints are not abused. The logic of sunsetting legislation is to ensure that emergency powers do not normalise (people not to live under the emergency measures as though it is normal).

Though Seychelles having been the first to be 90% vaccinated and acquired ‘community immunity’, Dr Gedeon noted that they await the WHO (World Health Organisation) to declare that Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern compared to other countries that have already removed their measures.

All organisations are to maintain and operate according to their current SOPs.  All schools remain in operation and it is as per the school SOPs if they want the children to keep their face mask in class or not. All retail outlets remain opens. Mixing of households is permitted. Two visitors per patient will be allowed at the Seychelles Hospital, bars and nightclubs can continue their operation under their current SOP measures.

In regards to wearing of face mask outdoors, it is not obligated whereas indoors, it is as per the organisation’s (SOP) order; for example, banks, hospitals or any public or private services who wish to keep the mask restriction then public must respect their SOP while using their services.

The only obligatory mandate will be the wearing of face mask on all public transportation due to the large group of people travelling together that can pose as a risk.

Dr Gedeon stated that they did not see a large increase in Covid cases after the National Day celebration, a good news for the country.

He further added that it is good news to note there is no increase in admission (hospitalisation), where presently no one is admitted with Covid related illness. However the authorities remain on alert.

“Presently all districts have cases, but the numbers are dropping. What is of concern is the rate of infection has been gradually increasing and that may be due to the decreasing immunity in the community. From fewer people getting infected is one but from people not coming forward for their vaccination that are due, this can decrease the immunity and increase the reinfection. We know we have the subvariant (EA) dot 1 and dot 2 in circulation up to the end of May but we are waiting for more tests to be conducted for the June and July samples to see if we have the other subvariant in circulation that can be responsible for the resurgent of cases in numerous parts of the world right now,” said Dr Gedeon.

In regards to vaccination Dr Gedeon is encouraging people who have not been vaccinated yet and those who have done only one to come forward for their dose as this helps to increase the community immunity.  He continued by saying the vaccination is an essential tool to protect ourselves from Covid-19 especially those who have underlying medical conditions.

With regard to monkey pox, Dr Gedeon explained that current cases of monkey pox are being reported outside West Africa and Europe. Worldwide only one person in Nigeria died due to the monkey pox outbreak however it was due to a compromised immune system.  In regards to Seychelles, there were 5 suspected cases of monkey pox, samples were sent abroad for analysis at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the national public health institute of South Africa (NICD) and the results came back negative. Monkey Pox symptoms are rashes that start at the genitals, vomiting, pruritus, fever and more. The symptoms are very mild however it is the rate at which the virus spreads that is cause for concern. The Seychelles health authority is on the alert and remains ready in the event of an active case of monkey pox in the country.

Dr Gedeon is reminding the public that we are still living with Covid and that we will continue to live with Covid. He is appealing to the public to come forward and get vaccinated and keep all the measures of prevention and stay safe.

Vanessa Lucas and Marla Simeon