Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Jagutpal, announced the vaccination of 38 025 adolescents aged between 15 and 17 years in educational institutions, as from 28 September 2021 with Pfizer vaccines, this evening, at a press briefing of the National Communication Committee on COVID-19, in Port Louis.
The Minister underlined that 76 050 Pfizer doses will be administered to secondary school students and informed that 10 mobile teams will visit 10 schools daily for the administering of the vaccines.
Parents will be informed in prior and will be required to sign the consent form for their ward to get vaccinated and will be able to accompany the child during his vaccination, he pointed out.
He stated that the campaign which concerns 188 educational institutions, among which 69 public schools, 100 private schools and 19 MITD centres, will span until 20 October 2021. The Minister also provided the following information regarding the COVID-19 situation in Mauritius:
• There are 3753 persons who are admitted in quarantine centres, among whom 417 travellers, 4 Mauritians, and 128 persons who will travel to Agaléga and 3204 who are self-isolating.
• Since 05 March 2021, some 14 567 positive cases have been detected and 12 517 patients have been successfully treated.
• Over the last 24 hours, some 108 COVID-19 positive cases have been detected.
• 45 patients are admitted at the New ENT Hospital including four on ventilators, 21 on oxygen and 20 are under medical observation.
• 176 are admitted in hospitals.
• 9 patients are admitted in COVID-19 treatment centres.
• 1683 persons who have tested positive to COVID-19 and are vaccinated, are self-isolating
• This week some 15 patients were shifted out of ICU after having been successfully treated.
• There are currently 176 persons who are admitted in hospitals, who are showing mild COVID-19 symptoms but require specific medical treatments for other ailments.
As regards the death rate, the Minister indicated that since 05 March 2021, a total of 65 persons have died from COVID-19 health complications, among whom 12 were fully vaccinated, one had had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 52 were not vaccinated. Thus, 80% were not vaccinated, 18% were vaccinated and 1.5% had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
He stressed that 81 persons who tested positive to COVID-19 passed away due to health complications other than COVID-19. 10, that is 12 % were vaccinated, 2 had had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, that is 2.5 % and 69, that is 85%, were not vaccinated, added the Health Minister.
In total, said the Minister, some 146 who were detected positive to COVID-19 passed away, among whom 15% were vaccinated, 2% had had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 82% were not vaccinated. 50% suffered from comorbidities, he added.
As regards the ongoing National COVID-19 vaccination campaign, some 849 326 persons, that is 67.1%, have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 793 269, that is 62.7%, a second dose.
As for Rodrigues, some 24 453 persons, amounting to 53,9%, have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 20 227, amounting to 46.5% are fully vaccinated.
Dr Kailesh Jagutpal recalled that the vaccination campaign for the third dose of Sinopharm has kickstarted yesterday and is being carried out in 11 vaccination centres.
He added that those who have had their second dose of the same vaccine for more than four months are eligible for the booster dose. He underlined that the booster dose will provide a longer and more robust immunity to the vaccinated person.
Measures announced regarding restrictions due to COVID-19 The Health Minister also announced a series of measures being which will be applicable as from the 1st of October 2021 concerning restrictions on social and economic activities.
These are: Sports centres, gymnasiums and gyms will be accessible only to staff and persons who are vaccinated. Each institution will be allowed to accommodate a specific number of persons, depending on its size.
There is a requirement to observe a social distance of at least 4m2 per person
Access to social centres, social welfare centres, community centres, village halls, youth centres and Citizens Advice Bureaus will be based on alphabetical orders.
A maximum number of 100 persons will be able to visit places of worship. It is recommended that those given access are vaccinated, that social distancing measures are abided to and that the site is well ventilated.
The number of persons visiting markets will still be controlled to avoid crowds. A maximum number of 100 persons will be able to participate in religious ceremonies.
It is recommended that those given access are vaccinated and that social distancing measures are abided to. A maximum number of 100 persons will be able to attend weddings and funerals. A maximum number of 100 persons will be allowed to participate in soc
