‘We must remain united against Covid-19’ – public health commissioner |05 February 2021
Dr Gedeon ad Dr Louange during the press conference (Photo: Joena Meme)
Public Health Commissioner Jude Gedeon says it is essential that the population remain united against Covid-19, despite the reduction in the number of active cases, and the downward trend recorded in infection rates over recent days.
Speaking at the weekly press update yesterday, Dr Gedeon, who was accompanied by the chief executive of the Health Care Agency Dr Danny Louange, noted an increase in the number of cumulative cases by 150 as compared to January 28, bringing the total cumulative cases to 1279 by January 3. Of those, a significant proportion have been categorised as recovered, although a further two deaths were also recorded within the one-week timeframe, bringing the total number of deaths to five.
“The outbreak is far from over, we are doing a lot of things to put it under control. The numbers are not going down as fast as we would have wanted, but nonetheless, the effort must be sustained. The latest figures we have, comparing last week to this week, we have seen an increase in 150 cases since the last update, however, we have fewer active cases since last week, because we have discharged quite a number,” Dr Gedeon noted.
“In terms of the number of recovered cases, 286 have recovered since the update from last week, but unfortunately, we have lost two more persons, two elderly persons who were aged 85 (male) and 72 (female), who had been with us for several days, one five days and the other 19 days. As you can see, the elderly remain more vulnerable to more severe disease, and even to losing life. And often times, the complications happen a week, to ten days after getting the infection. So even, if you do not have symptoms when you are tested, it does not mean that you will not develop complications,” Dr Gedeon explained.
As of yesterday, 14 persons were at the Family Hospital, although some are still being admitted with symptoms. Three persons were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and of them one is on a ventilator. The Coastguard facility was holding 13 people, with mild symptoms, with 82 positive cases at AVANI and 41 at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay. There were no active cases on Praslin, although it was suspected that there are still cases of community transmission and asymptomatic persons on the island.
According to statistics recorded by the department, there has been a general downward trend from week to week, and what would appear to be a ‘plateau’ as of January 26. The majority of cases are community-transmission, and a large number of infections have also been observed among employees of the Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT) factory, part of the Thai Union Group, with the highest number of incidence rates in English River, Ile Perseverance and Saint Louis, where foreign employees of the factory are thought to reside in large groups.
With the community-transmission outbreak, more cases are being recorded among the Seychellois population as compared to foreigners. Of the foreigners, most are Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) holders, and not visitors, as was the case initially, when the country first started recording cases. In fact, over the past week, no cases were detected among visitors. Cases of infection have been recorded across all age groups, with younger generations being more affected, although they tend to remain asymptomatic, while the older patients are more at risk of developing complications.
“Recently, a good proportion of our cases are from IOT. Within the past 24 hours, there have been five new cases at IOT, and presently, there are over 100 active cases. In terms of how many cases have tested positive since it started reporting cases, it has reached 142 cases,” Dr Gedeon remarked.
“You will notice that the number of cases at IOT continues to increase despite the measures in place. We have noticed that all the transmissions are not necessarily within the factory, but outside the facility as well,” Dr Gedeon said.
IOT recorded its first case on January 5 but over recent days, the incidence rate has increased to reach 15 cases on January 21, 25 and February 2, 2021. Of the 900 Seychellois employees, 55 have tested positive, while 82 of the 1058 foreign employees contracted the virus.
In a bid to curb the propagation of the pandemic, the department has reinforced surveillance at IOT, as well as health and safety measures in place against the pandemic. Around two thirds employees of IOT have already received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, as part of the national immunisation campaign.
Up until yesterday, 25,425 persons had received the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine, while a further 10,859 received the first dosage of the Covishield vaccine, bringing the total of first vaccinations to 36,284, accounting for just about 50 percent of the target population. As such, Seychelles tops the world ranking in terms of daily Covid-19 vaccine doses administered per 100 people, ahead of Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although Israel tops the list as the country who has administered the most complete doses of vaccines.
Dr Gedeon seized the opportunity to encourage citizens to get their second doses of either Sinopharm or Covishield, advising that the vaccines gain maximum efficacy two weeks after the administration of the second dose. Upon receiving the second dose, patients will be presented with a certificate, which may be of use in future for certain class of activities such as travelling. It is essential that patients continue to uphold health protocols in place, he said, to help protect others who are more vulnerable, as vaccines may not prevent infection and ability to transmit the virus to others, especially the large sector of population do not qualify for vaccines, such as persons under the age of 18 which constitute at least 25 percent of the population, as well as the proportion who will choose not to vaccinate.
He noted that no major side effects have been reported since the roll-out of the national immunisation campaign, except for one person who experienced itching and another with chest tightness.
As of today, the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine is being administered, for persons whose second shot was scheduled for February 7, 8 and 9. The public are being advised to keep an eye out on national media for announcements as to where they can get their jab, as the second phase is expected to be completed faster than the first phase.
The second dose of the Covishield vaccine is to be rolled out after the second dose of Sinopharm is administered. The immunisation campaign is expected to continue with other priority groups within the population, including persons with chronic illnesses.
In concluding, Dr Gedeon noted that he is satisfied, having observed good compliance with restriction measures. As previously mentioned, the National Assembly approved the drafting of regulations for spot fines with the Attorney General and the regulations are being drafted to be enforced by the Seychelles Police. Spot fines are to apply to all who breach Public Health Order imposed on December 1, and which has since been revised on January 31, and which are to remain effective until February 15.
Removal or relaxing of restrictions will be phased out gradually.
Meanwhile, all sectors are advised to revise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at their respective institutions.
The Ministry of Education is also actively engaged in revising SOPs and on revising the strategy for re-opening of schools towards mid February, to coincide with the national immunisation campaign, as it is expected that the majority of teachers and employees within the ministry are to be vaccinated at that point in time.
Laura Pillay