368 Covid deaths in November, Omicron Variant not here (yet)

“As of now, the Omicron variant has not been detected in Mauritius based on S-gene target failure and sequencing. However, a preparedness plan has been finalised at the level of the Ministry of Health and Wellness so as to detect the Omicron variant.”

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal told the National Assembly, in reply to a Private Notice Question pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Omicron variant.

He revealed that, for the period 01 November to 29 November 2021, total number of registered deaths was 1,686 – a twofold increase compared to the same period last year (855).

According to the Health Ministry’s statistics, the number of persons who passed away due to COVID-19 from 01 November 2021 to midnight of 29 November 2021 stood at 348.

He outlined that out of this number, 156 were fully vaccinated, as follows: AstraZeneca – 16; Covaxin – 44; Johnson&Johnson – 8; and Sinopharm – 88.

Concerning the number of persons aged 60 years and above who received a booster dose as at date, the Health and Wellness Minister affirmed that this figure stood at 33,713. He apprised that a total of 94,846 persons received a booster shot since 2021 to date.

“I wish also to inform the House that out of 230,000 persons aged 60 and above, 206,487 have already been fully vaccinated and the vaccine efficiency is valid for at least 6 months,” he added.