Gibraltar residents deprived of Christmas parties due to coronavirus? This can be read in a message relayed on Facebook and on Twitter. This message states that “Gibraltar, recently declared the ‘most vaccinated country in the world’ with a vaccination rate of almost 100%, is canceling all the festivities planned for the end of the year due to the increase in Covid cases. “
The post is based on an article from a Spanish news site, ABC Candalucia, which titled November 12: “Gibraltar suspends the official Christmas celebrations in the face of the exponential increase in Covid-19 infections. “
FAKE OFF
All Christmas festivities are not canceled. The government of this small territory of 34,000 inhabitants attached to the United Kingdom explained on November 12 “Intend” to cancel Christmas evenings and official receptions for its employees. The attractions of the traditional Christmas fair
must be installed. “They are located in the city outside and are accessible to the public,” said the government to 20 minutes. In contrast, the Festival of Lights and New Year celebrations
will take place online, as in 2020.
What about private parties? The government “strongly advises against” gatherings for the next four weeks “while the third-dose vaccination program is unfolding.” The Gibraltar authorities continue to encourage respect for barrier gestures: wearing a mask, washing hands, ventilation, etc.
An increase in cases in November
The government has published these recommendations in light of the increase in Covid-19 cases in the territory. On Monday, the peninsula had 341 new cases for the week of November 8 to 15, against 156 for the previous week.
The incidence rate is slightly higher of cases in vaccinated people than in unvaccinated people. In the latter, it is children under 15 who represent the majority of cases. Vaccination is open in Gibraltar from the age of twelve. Vaccination for 12-15 year olds began less than a month ago, on October 25. However, this increase in cases does not translate into overcrowding of intensive care units. One person was hospitalized in critical care service on November 15 and two in a wing dedicated to Covid-19.
The evolution of the epidemic is not currently translating into an increase in deaths. The territory has deplored 98 deaths linked to Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. The 98th death was recorded on October 15. The person who lost his life was not vaccinated, according to the local government. It was a man, from outside the peninsula, who had health problems and was between 50 and 55 years old.
The majority of the deaths occurred before the start of the vaccination campaign or at the start of the campaign, which started from January 10.
The territory has a very high vaccination rate: 39,814 second doses were administered in this territory, more than the 34,000 inhabitants. Gibraltar also vaccine the Spaniards who come to work there, which explains this rate.
“A trend observed throughout Europe”
If so many people are vaccinated, why is there an increase in cases? It should first of all be remembered that, more than limiting the number of cases, the primary objective of vaccines is to reduce severe forms, recalled in September to 20 minutes the doctor of public health Mickaël Ehrminger.
According to the Gibraltar government, most of the contamination took place during religious gatherings, during certain “events”, as well as in the workplace. In Gibraltar, the wearing of a mask is compulsory in shops, in health services, on public transport and at the airport, as well as for burials taking place in closed places.
Finally, “the high rate of screening of residents of Gibraltar […] makes it possible to detect many more positive cases than elsewhere, underlines the government. […] It is also part of a trend that can be observed across Europe, where the number of positive cases is on the rise. “