The South African variant of the coronavirus was detected for the first time in Guadeloupe, at a time when the archipelago is experiencing a
"stabilization"
of its indicators, and the British variant predominates, local authorities said on Wednesday March 10.
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Although the contamination indicators remain stable, even slightly lower over a week, a case of contamination with the South African variant and a second case subjected to sequencing in Paris, have been identified, according to the prefect of Guadeloupe, Alexandre Rochatte, during the weekly press briefing devoted to the health situation in the archipelago.
The latter also emphasizes that the British variant
"is actively circulating and seems to take precedence over the strain of the 2020 virus"
.
This variant was detected in three quarters of the samples taken, according to the same source.
"We are on a plateau, now we have to start the descent,"
added Alexandre Rochatte.
During the first week of March, the number of cases stabilized at a high level, 323 tested in Guadeloupe against 308 for the previous week, the prefect said in a statement.
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As of March 7, eight people were hospitalized in intensive care, 22 patients were hospitalized in the medical departments of other health establishments and four in follow-up care, but no deaths are to be deplored, according to this press release.
The current measures remain in force, in particular the curfew at 10 p.m., effective since Sunday in Guadeloupe.
The prefect also indicated that a
"party"
had gathered Saturday
"between 300 and 500 people"
, with a
"paying organization"
.
The organizers are being prosecuted
"for the offense of endangering the life of others,"
he said.
