Covid-19 update |11 December 2020

Dr Louange and Dr Gedeon during the press conference (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

 Five active cases in Seychelles

Three more Covid-19 cases have been recorded bringing the total of active cases in Seychelles to five, while the number of recorded cases stands at 187.

Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon gave these details yesterday during this week’s Covbid-19 press update at the Sheikh Khalifa Diagnostic Centre. He was accompanied by Health Care Agency (BCA) chief executive, Dr Danny Louange and they also discussed the current status of the pandemic in the country, the quarantine facilities and the roll out of the new vaccines

“Last week we detected three more cases which brings the total to 187 recorded cases in Seychelles,” said Dr Gedeon.

He continued by adding that out of the 16 active cases from last week, 14 patients have recovered with only five patients, including the three new cases, are still in isolation.

The three new cases are two South Africans and a British visitor who are all being isolated at their respective resorts.

“Since the start of the month we have also conducted 1,970 PCR tests and we are predicting that we will surpass the number of tests conducted in November,” added Dr Gedeon.

Regarding the health care workers who had contracted the virus during the first week of December, Dr Gedeon noted that two have been discharged with one is undertaking a final test to see if can leave the isolation centre today.

Doctor Lounge also stated that an investigation was carried after the staff contracted the virus.

“The first investigation was through contact tracing and we quarantined high risk contacts. The other inquiry was conducted to see if they breached any procedures that we had put in place, this also gave us an opportunity to revise some of our measures,” said Dr Louange

The doctors also added that routine testing is conducted periodically for staff of the hospital.

Dr Gedeon also dismissed rumours of the vaccine being mandatory. He remarked that it will be up to members of the public whether they will take the vaccine or not, however their decision will be final as the vaccine has an expiration date.

“We want to educate the public on the importance of the vaccine and its benefits, but the choice will be solely up to the public whether they want to take it or not,” he said

The health commissioner also stated that a team has been set up regarding the rollout of the vaccine.

“We do not know when we will get the vaccine or what type we will get as the MODERNA vaccine hasn’t been approved yet, however we have other vaccines that will be provided to us through WHO (World Health Organisation),” said Dr Gedeon

He continued by adding that once the vaccines enter the country there will be a two to three-month window before it expires, so the ministry will have to move fast as it does not have sufficient storage to put all the vaccines at once.

Since the vaccine requires two doses per person, Dr Gedeon remarked that not everyone will get the vaccine at the same time.

With regards to quarantine facilities, Dr Louange noted that there are currently 89 people in quarantine at the Avani Resort & Spa and 11 at the facility on South East island which brings the total to 100.

“Everyone is asymptomatic and are being observed. We also have four patients in isolation at the Family Hospital in Perseverance which include a patient who just got back from treatment abroad.

Regarding the Swiss patient who was in critical condition, Dr Louange stated that as of yesterday he was recovering and had started to walk around, however he is still under ventilation.

There have also been reports of unruly and aggressive quarantine tenants at the Avani Resort & Spa from a couple who during the night of December 8 refused to be quarantined and started confronting medical personnel and security.

Dr Louange has said that a warning has been given to the couple and if this situation happens again they will be dealt with.

He has also asked everyone who is placed in quarantine to follow regulations that are in place as they become a strain on workers at the Avani Resort & Spa and the health department.

Dr Gedeon also sent out a warning to everyone especially students who are on holidays to be cautious and to respect the health precautions put in place.

Christophe Zialor