A case of the South African variant in Reunion: "He has not been in contact with the population"

After Mayotte, a case of the South African variant of the coronavirus was detected in Reunion.

But there is no risk at this stage that it has infected other people on the island, explains to Europe 1 doctor François Chieze, from the Regional Health Agency. 

After Mayotte, it's Reunion Island's turn.

A case of the South African variant of the coronavirus has been detected on the island, the prefecture and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) said on Sunday.

The day before, another positive case for the variant had been confirmed in Mayotte, pushing the prefecture of this other French department in the Indian Ocean to see the evolution of the situation Sunday, January 17

Regarding the Reunionese case, it is a Franco-Comorian man, who was evacuated from the neighboring archipelago of the Comoros for emergency hospitalization in Reunion Island, following another health problem.

Diagnosed positive for Covid-19, his sample was analyzed and it is indeed the South African variant. 

Four cases of the variant confirmed in Mayotte

But there is no risk at this stage that it has contaminated other people on the island, explains Dr. François Chieze, director of the day before at the Regional Health Agency of Reunion.

“As he was Covid positive, he arrived at the airport transported in isolation by the Samu, and integrated into the specialized Covid resuscitation unit,” he told Europe 1. “So, in fact, he has not been in contact with the Reunionese population ".

However, he warns, "there may be others, insofar as people circulate between Reunion, Mayotte, the Comoros". 

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To detect these other potential cases, an appeal is made to all those who have recently traveled to these territories.

They are advised to get tested and self-isolate while awaiting results.

Because in Mayotte, four cases of the South African variant are confirmed on Sunday evening.

Reunion will also impose a 7-day isolation for any person arriving from mainland or from abroad.