Restrictions on public gathering to be reinforced amid peak in Covid-19 cases |30 April 2021
Dr Gedeon and Dr Louange during the press conference yesterday (Photo: Joena Meme)
With a noticeable peak in Covid-19 cases, the Public Health Authority is reinforcing the restrictions on public gathering and movements especially around Labour Day, set to be celebrated this weekend.
Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon yesterday explained that the continued increase in Covid-19 infections in the country is of concern and hence the enforcement of these restrictions.
“There will be roadblocks and the police will be assisted to ensure that restrictions on movements are respected, and if you are charged or fined you will have no one else but yourself to blame,” remarked Dr Gedeon.
Dr Gedeon further called on all workplaces and businesses to cancel their social gatherings planned for the occasion of Labour Day.
For those who might complain about not being able to celebrate May 1 (Labour Day) like before, Dr Gedeon pointed out that St. Joseph – the patron saint of workers – was a hard worker not a party animal (krazer).
He provided a reminder that activities such as beach parties, fairs, fetes and workplace or family ‘fun day’ are still a no go under the public health orders.
Additionally, all sporting events with spectators have been suspended although training and competitions with no spectators are still allowed.
Meanwhile religious services are to be conducted under strict protocols and funerals are still limited to 15 persons.
Dr Gedeon made note of his dissatisfaction when it comes to the wearing of face masks in certain places, adding that businesses should properly enforce the face mask regulation.
He also stated that everyone should take their responsibility and wear their masks and advise others to do so as well, whether they are locals or visitors.
“We are still under the same public health emergency which was imposed in March last year,” reminded Dr Gedeon.
612 active cases at present
As of yesterday, April 29, the Ministry of Health recorded a total of 612 active cases, of which about 70% are persons who have not been fully vaccinated.
In the press update yesterday, Dr Gedeon also stated that the Ministry of Health recorded 103 new cases yesterday alone.
With the majority of the total active cases being Seychellois (83%) and expatriate workers, the trend as of April 28 shows that infection rates are peaking again in the country and that transmission are very active in the community.
Since the start of the pandemic, the country has recorded 5,703 cumulative confirmed cases of Covid-19.
The country’s fatality rate stands at 0.49% with 27 total Covid-19 related deaths.
On his side, Dr Danny Louange, chief executive of the Health Care Agency, stated that there are currently a total of 25 Covid-19 positive patients at the Family Hospital facility.
Three of these patients are in critical conditions, with two of them intubated to help them breathe while the third is in the stages of rehabilitation.
Dr Louange explained that the Ministry of Health has observed an increase in the number of Covid-19 patients at the Family Hospital who have respiratory symptoms, and whose respiratory systems are affected with the virus. He noted that this is a worrying trend.
There are also presently 19 patients at the Coast Guard facility, 21 at Il-di-Swet, 87 at Avani, 32 at the Praslin Pension Fund facility, 15 at the Indian Ocean Lodge on Praslin and five on La Digue.
The remaining active cases are in home isolation.
“The trends show that Covid-19 does not choose age or who you are; anyone can be admitted in the hospital or suffer from critical illness. It is important for us to protect ourselves,” cautioned Dr Louange.
Vaccination campaign
The statistics for vaccination uptake as of April 29 shows that 96% of the targeted population of 70,000, around 67,043 people, have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile 84% of the targeted population, which accounts for 58,496 people, have been fully inoculated.
This represents 68% of our total population that have received their first dose and 59% of the total population to have received both doses.
“This places Seychelles at the forefront as the number one country in the world, with the highest percentage of its population that is fully vaccinated,” stated Dr Gedeon.
“Nonetheless, this does not mean that we have to stop taking precautions and protections to stave off the infection. Many have taken the vaccine and think they do not have to wear their masks but the vaccine does not protect you completely; you can still get Covid-19 and transmit it to someone else who might not be protected,” he added.
Given the fairly recent developments of Covid-19 vaccines, Dr Gedeon also noted that we do not know how long they will be effective and hence we need to continuously stay on our guard.
Covid-19 statistics to be given every Monday and Thursday only
The Ministry of Health announced yesterday that, from now on, it will provide Covid-19 statistics updates twice a week, every Monday and Thursday.
Dr Gedeon noted that this decision came about after they established that the daily updates were not really giving out the “real picture” of infection trends.
He additionally noted that it takes the public health laboratory about 24 to 48 hours to process samples while new private laboratories require time to process results submitted.
Impacts of Covid-19 wave in India on Seychelles
Dr Gedeon yesterday stated that the Public Health Authority is working on new Covid-19 samples to establish the current Covid-19 situation in Seychelles and identify which variant is present in the country aside from the original variant and the South African variant.
This is to answer questions on whether we have the variants from India or United Kingdom in the country.
With the worsening Covid-19 situation in India, Dr Gedeon said that the Public Health Authority is revising the recent travel advisory for India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to place measures that will not allow any person flying in from these countries into Seychelles, even if fully vaccinated.
Nonetheless, India’s present Covid-19 wave will have an impact on Seychelles since the Ministry of Health sends a majority of Seychellois patients for overseas treatment to India.
There are currently 12 patients undergoing treatment in India at the MIOT Hospital in Chennai and Dr Louange noted that the Ministry of Health is receiving regular updates from the management of MIOT.
He stated that five Seychellois who are in India for treatment were scheduled to come back last weekend but were unable to due to travel restrictions.
The Ministry of Health is looking to repatriate them on a chartered flight when possible.
Additionally, another 30 Seychellois patients are on the list for overseas treatment.
While some have decided to delay their treatment until the Covid-19 situation improves, the Ministry of Health needs to find another facility instead of MIOT to send 16 of these patients.
Elsie Pointe
