The spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Nissaf Ben Alaya affirmed that the data concerning this novel COVID-19 strain are of concern to researchers and laboratory teams (the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, the military laboratories, Sousse and Sfax) in particular because “it can spread faster than the previous strain ”.
The ministry spokeswoman accentuated that the new “variant” had not yet been detected on Tunisian territory.
Speaking on the National Radio, she pointed out there is no record concerning the severity of the disease and the determinants connected with the spread of the virus, although this point is currently the subject of research.
“We have suspended connections with the United Kingdom as well as other nations affected by the new strain, such as South Africa, Australia and Denmark, as a precautionary principle,” said the spokesperson for the ministry. emphasising that the isolation and the PCR test remain for diagnosing this new strain.“After the virus has spread, it is useless to declare general lockdown. So there is no reason to think that the curfew measures, the restricted movement between cities were less efficient in combating the spread of the virus, ”she insisted.
Speaking on the National Radio, she pointed out there is no record concerning the severity of the disease and the determinants connected with the spread of the virus, although this point is currently the subject of research.
“We have suspended connections with the United Kingdom as well as other nations affected by the new strain, such as South Africa, Australia and Denmark, as a precautionary principle,” said the spokesperson for the ministry. emphasising that the isolation and the PCR test remain for diagnosing this new strain.“After the virus has spread, it is useless to declare general lockdown. So there is no reason to think that the curfew measures, the restricted movement between cities were less efficient in combating the spread of the virus, ”she insisted.
“We are in the middle of a pandemic outbreak and we must strictly adhere to preventive measures until a vaccine is deployed,” said the expert, deploring “a slackening in the application of health protocols”.
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