Another Covid surge may be on the way. Are we ready for it?

A surge in coronavirus infections has experts and health authorities on alert for another wave of the pandemic in Mauritius.

The alert comes only two weeks after the country lifted part of the restrictions on 31 March after a sharp decline in cases.

Defi Media said experts are closely watching the subvariant of omicron known as XE, which appears to be more transmissible and is fuelling a new outbreak worldwide.

It cited Dr Soobaraj Sok Appadu, National COVID-19 Coordinator, said several countries are seeing spikes in coronavirus infections caused by the new variant.

He warned that relaxed precautions against viral transmission – people not wearing their mask properly, not maintaining social distancing, etc… – could trigger the new surge locally.

Another surge could also lead to a return of tougher measures that many have eagerly abandoned, particularly as winter approaches, Health minister Kailesh Jagutpal said. “But we’re not there yet.”

As at 06 April 2022, there were 828 active cases of COVID- 19, out of which 14 were admitted at the New ENT Hospital.

Over the period 31 March to 06 April 2022, six additional deaths were attributed to COVID-19.