Covid-19: First cases of community transmission confirmed |30 December 2020
President Ramkalawan during his televised address yesterday
- Authorities spring to action
By Laura Pillay
President of the Republic Wavel Ramkalawan has announced a series of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 infection, after the first cases of community transmission were yesterday confirmed.
Speaking in a televised address to the nation yesterday evening, President Ramkalawan said the Covid-19 situation in the country is deeply concerning, as evidence is emerging which indicates that there could be a spike in the number of cases, and as health authorities are faced with the first cases of community transmission.
“At this present time, we have one patient who has tested positive, and who is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Perseverance Hospital in critical condition. We all pray that he will recover. I implore that our nation keep this man and his family in our prayers. There are also two other persons who have tested positive with PCR tests, while a further six have tested positive and are awaiting confirmation,” President Ramkalawan said.
“A total of 69 persons have been found to be at higher risk. Among them are 28 health workers who have been identified as contacts. Also included are specialists who were working in the ICU and other health centres where the patient received medical treatment. This situation means there is a lot of pressure on our health services,” President Ramkalawan remarked.
Given the situation, the President met with the Platinum Committee on Covid-19 at State House yesterday afternoon whereby the strict measures, applicable for the next fourteen days were finalised.
As such,
- Restrictions apply to all public gatherings
- All schools, from crèche to post secondary are to remain closed
- No religious ceremonies are to be held except for funerals, under existing health guidelines
- Bars, casinos, spas, gyms and cinemas are to remain closed, inclusive of leisure activities
- All competitive sports are to be held without spectators
- Everyone is being asked to mingle only with close relatives during this festive period
- All places of work are being requested to encourage employees to work from home
- The airport is to remain open to inbound visitors, under existing entry conditions
“The measures are strict, but we need to head in that direction to protect our nation’s health and try to rebuild our country during this worrying situation. I am asking that everyone contribute and play a positive role, otherwise we will find ourselves having to take even stricter measures. We do not want to get to that so let us cooperate with one another,” President Ramkalawan added, reminding citizens of precautionary measures such as regular hand washing, wearing of masks and social distancing.
He concluded by assuring that the Ministry of Health is doing all it can, together with other concerned agencies, to control the situation.
Public Health Commissioner Jude Gedeon is expected to provide more details on the measures during a press conference today.
News of the first community transmission case was confirmed by the department of Public Health yesterday morning, through a communiqué in which it was stated that the 59-year-old Seychellois taxi driver is in the intensive care unit at the isolation treatment centre after testing positive for Covid-19, and that the patient had first been admitted to the Seychelles Hospital with severe illness.
According to the communiqué, a member of the man’s immediate family was also displaying symptoms and had been admitted for testing, as well as the health workers and family’s recent contacts.