Omicron variant suspected in surge of Covid-19 cases |31 December 2021

The press conference: (l to r) Dr Henriette, Supt. Denousse and Dr Gedeon (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

The Omicron variant is being suspected as the cause following the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country over the past week.

It was Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, who made the statement during an urgent Covid-19 press update yesterday afternoon at the Sheikh Khalifa diagnostic centre in relation to the surge in the number of active cases.

Also present were the director of the Seychelles Hospital, Dr Kenneth Henriette, and police superintendent, Antoine Denousse.

Dr Gedeon said the health authority had received some PCR panel screening kits to screen for the Omicron variant and from samples taken from November to December, revealed some suspected cases of the variant.

He noted that preliminary results to confirm the presence of Omicron variant in the country will arrive today from Nairobi, Kenya, where the samples had been sent to be analysed.

He stated that 100 countries worldwide have contracted the variant and given the number of foreign visitors coming to our shores, it is most probably that we too have contracted the variant, given the time (72 hours) that an individual has to conduct an antigen test where he or she could contract the variant after, during travel.

As of yesterday afternoon, there were 621 active cases, an increase of 189 from the 432 reported on Wednesday December 29, 2021. Among the 621 active cases, 161 new cases were recorded on Wednesday alone. There are 582 active cases on Mahé, 25 on Praslin, 8 on La Digue and 6 on other islands ‒ Ste Anne (4), Silhouette (1), Alphonse (1). Most of the active cases are in the ages of 15-40 years old. There are 12 active cases in the 0-1 year-olds.Seventy-two (72) visitors have also tested positive for the virus as well as at least 50 gainful occupation permit (GOP) holders.

Dr Gedeon said the surge in active cases, with suspected link to the Omicron variant, is a result of social gatherings during the pre-Christmas and Christmas celebrations. As a result, the doctor re-emphasised on the practice of all preventive measures ‒ mask wearing, hand washing, sanitisation, social distancing etc. ‒ as the means to curb the surge in Covid-19 during the long festive weekend.

He also called on those who have not taken any vaccine to get vaccinated and others who have taken a first dose to get a second and those on two to take the third booster dose to complete their vaccination process against the virus. Other re-enforced measures include non-mixing of households for socialisation, restriction of large social gathering or group sporting activities and discouragement of travels between islands.

With regard to bars, restaurants, casinos etc. where clients have to remove masks, Dr Gedeon stressed on their management to play their role in observing their standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to further seek rapid testing or PCR tests (negative certificate) for clients coming to their places in a bid to protect their clients and workers.

He said the Omicron variant spreads faster than other Covid-19 variants and that gathering and movements of people offers the perfect opportunity for it to spread.

He added that the surge is occurring in all districts in the country.

He further added that the rate of community transmission is high with the possibility of becoming very high in the weeks to come.

Superintendent Antoine Denousse said the police will, through patrol, be stricter against individuals or groups of people who are seen not abiding by health restrictions in place, especially in places where people tend to gather in groups.

He said shops, bars, restaurants, casinos and others that are not abiding by their SOPs will be shut down until given permission to re-operate by the health authority.

He added that people could face a fine of R2,000 for breaking the health restrictions, including other disturbances, while a mix household activity could see a R5,000 fine imposed.

The police superintendent added that they will use their drone to help in surveillance and the military will also help them during patrol.

He also called on tourism establishments to advise their clients on wearing their face masks as it is against the law to not wear a face mask in public.

Speaking on the Covid-19 health facilities, Dr Henriette said there are 18 Covid-19 patients at the new Coast Guard hospital and nine including one in critical condition at the Family Hospital, Ile Persévérance. There are four patients in the Pension Fund Complex on Praslin. He said most of the patients who suffer from severe cases and die are those who have not been vaccinated at all.

He called on everyone to observe the health restrictions in place, protect one another so that we can enter the new year in good health.

A total of 24,033 people have recovered from the virus from the 24,778 cumulative cases recorded. Of the 134 people who have died from the virus, 77% had not taken any form of vaccine as protection.

With regard to booster vaccines, 20,819 people have already taken the Pfizer third booster dose while 2,116 have taken Sinopharm as their third dose. Both doctors have called on the people to wear their face masks properly and take their vaccine doses to protect themselves and others.

Patrick Joubert