Covid-19 in Guinea: the positivity index of cases declining, how did we get there?

During the month of September, a considerable drop in positive cases and hospitalizations in epidemiological treatment centers recorded in Guinea. What explains this? Jean Traoré, head of the communications and media unitof the national health security agency, gives the reasons to Universciences.

The last weeks of September were significant in the fight against the coronavirus in Guinea. The virus could soon be under control.

“However, we noted for example that in terms of the epidemiological situation, that the trend in the positivity index over the last four weeks, week 34 to week 37, we note a drop in the positivity index of 50% during the period going from 6 to 3% particularly”, explains Jean Traoré, head of the communications and media unit of the ANSS, on the line.

No study certifying this decline in the virus

There are no studies being carried out to really understand the decline of the virus, but only, “we must understand the natural evolution of diseases at certain periods, the number of positivity can drop”, Jean Traoré believes.

The third wave has seen an ascent

The fact of vaccination helped a lot, although the cumulative number of people having taken their second dose of vaccine was at 569,290, this did not prevent a third wave with its Delta variant.

“The extraordinary rise in figures in recent times was due, for example, to the circulation of several variants, notably the Delta variant, whose contagion rate was high because at one point we carried out studies on 9 samples on which there was sequencing, these 9 were all positive for the Delta variant”, underlines the head of the communications and media unit of the ANSS.

The ANSS plans for an end to the pandemic

Furthermore, the National Health Security Agency further plans to ease measures to combat covid-19, or even officially declare the end of the pandemic in Guinea, next November, with all the risks involved, as proof, on a national scale, the country has vaccination coverage of only 4%.

“The relief which has been decreed by the authorities is subject to respect for barrier gestures. That is to say, to access public places. Either present your health pass which can be your vaccination card, your recovery card or your sample card which certifies that you are negative and also measures such as wearing bibs, hand washing in all places remain in force., specifies Traoré.

Let's continue to get vaccinated

It should be remembered that it is imperative to raise awareness among populations about getting vaccinated, a safe means that is part of the fight against this pandemic. “The number of cases is going down. We must reduce and continue to raise awareness among people to get vaccinated, which is today the least and most effective fight against covid-19; but in addition to vaccination, people must also agree to continue to protect themselves, it is fundamental”, argues Jean Traoré, head of the communications and media unit of the ANSS.

A considerable drop in hospitalizations

According to figures from the National Health Security Agency, the number of covid-19 cases continues to decline across the country. The number of hospitalized patients is also decreasing. “As of September 30, 2021, we have 494 people hospitalized”, confirms Jean Traoré.

 

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