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COVID-19: Health protocols reviewed following high rate of vaccination

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At a press briefing of the National Communication Committee on COVID-19, at the New Treasury Building in Port-Louis, yesterday, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, announced that protocols regarding quarantine, self-isolation (Self-Confinement), and treatment of COVID-19 cases have been reviewed and a new strategy adopted, following the high rate of vaccination which provides better protection for the population. 

As at date, the number of people fully vaccinated was 679,602 (53.7%) while 777,502 (61.4%) have received their first dose.

The Director of Health Services, Dr Ashwamed Dinassing, and the acting Regional Public Health Superintendent, Dr Kursheed Meethoo-Badulla, were also present at the press briefing.

The Minister stated that the High-Level Committee on COVID-19 and the Cabinet have decided that those completely vaccinated against COVID-19 and under 65 years old, who test positive for Covid-19 but show no symptoms or mild symptoms, will be recommended to self-isolate and get their treatment at home. This measure applies for all those who had their two jabs for more than two weeks, and those who have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine for at least 28 days. Dr Jagutpal stressed that regulations will be gazetted accordingly.

A “domiciliary monitoring unit” will thus be created in September 2021 to monitor these people, affirmed the Minister, adding that doctors will be recruited to serve in this unit so as not to disrupt the health services. In the meantime, the Rapid Response Team will be seeing to those cases, and people can call the 8924 hotline for assistance. Guidelines to help asymptomatic people will also be issued.

Concerning the COVID-19 updates, the Minister reported that from 19 July 2021 to date, 4,817 positive cases were recorded, including 4,791 asymptomatic cases, while 1,754 patients have been cured. In the last 24 hours, 372 positive cases were registered, including 370 asymptomatic. 

As for the Director of Health Services, Dr Ashwamed Dinassing, he said that there were 81 patients at the ENT Hospital with three patients using the non-invasive ventilator, and one patient under artificial respiration. The other patients, being at high risk because of comorbidities, are being monitored. He added that 1,661 PCR tests were positive, out of the 17,089 PCR tests carried out this week, and 13 imported cases were detected, including nine passengers from a cruise ship.

For her part, the acting Regional Public Health Superintendent pointed out that 4,438 people are currently in quarantine. Of these people, 1,039 are returning passengers, 587 were placed in centres, and 2,812 were recommended to self-isolate as they are fully vaccinated. Dr Meethoo-Badulla moreover talked of the triage that is being implemented regarding PCR tests. From now on, only people over 65 years, or those suffering from comorbidities, and presenting symptoms or having been in direct contact with a positive patient will be tested in COVID-19 testing centres.

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