Tunisia-Hechmi Louzir:Sixth covid wave signs confirmed

The Scientific Committee for the fight against the coronavirus called, during its periodic meeting held on Tuesday, to avoid gatherings, to use preventive means and to air closed spaces to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 whose signs of a sixth wave are confirmed, Hechmi Louzir, chairman of the National Vaccination Committee, told TAP.

He added that Tunisia has experienced, since mid-June, an increase in epidemiological indicators with the emergence of the sub-variants of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, leading to an increase in the number of infections without the recording of serious cases.

According to Louzir, the number of cumulative cases in the last two weeks has reached 165 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, calling on citizens to receive the vaccine booster doses (third and fourth) to prevent infection and resist the virus.

During its meeting, the scientific committee noted the lack of respect for health protocols, particularly the wearing of protective masks, and the growing reluctance to receive additional booster doses of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, which helps to reduce the number of serious cases in people who are fragile because of their age or chronic illness.

The rate of positivity of COVID tests in Tunisia during the week from June 27, 2022 to July 3, 2022 exceeded 46%. 48 deaths and 13,947 additional infections were recorded during the same period.

(TAP)