1 in 4 Adults Vaccinated Against Covid

16,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine have been administered in Guernsey so far, while the gap between doses of the Oxford jab is being extended.

13,000 people have had their first dose, and 3,000 islanders have had both doses.

The CCA says that means a quarter over 18s have had an inoculation.

Based on the latest advice about the effectiveness of the jabs, the decision has been taken locally to extend the gap for people who receive the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine from six weeks to 10 weeks.

President for Health for Health & Social Care, Deputy Al Brouard said:

‘We have always said that we will be informed by the evidence in shaping our vaccination programme and this continues to be the case. New scientific evidence has emerged in respect of how we can ensure that the vaccines administered are as effective as possible. Significantly, there is now clear evidence that by leaving a longer gap between doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the second dose is more effective, providing more protection to the individual.

‘At the recommendation of the Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink, and her team, the Committee for Health & Social Care has therefore agreed that locally the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should be scheduled for 10 weeks after the first dose rather than the existing plan of six weeks.’

Appointments for people waiting for their second dose will be rescheduled.

The number of active Covid-19 cases in Guernsey has fallen below 300.

287 people are now known to have the infection.

12 people have been diagnosed in the last day, while 30 have recovered.

Speaking at the Friday media briefing Dr Nicola Brink explained how contact tracing is being effective:

"We had a total of twelve cases yesterday and of those, nine were contacts but five came from one family group. So this gives you an idea of how we are closing the net around the cases on the island."

One of the latest cases is from an unknown community source, meaning it is not known how the person contracted the virus.

They developed symptoms and contacted the Covid Helpline to be tested.

3 care homes have now have had cases, with two more members of staff testing positive.

Public Health is doing 'surge testing' to identify possible asymptomatic cases in the island.

That will involve testing large numbers of people where they know there has been Covid activity.

Dr Nicola Brink says it will help 'stamp out any residual clusters of infection'.

Seven people are in hospital with  Covid-19.  Two are in Intensive Care.

Mask-wearing in indoor public spaces, including shops, becomes mandatory tomorrow (13 February)

Anyone over the age of 12 not complying with the law without a valid exemption risks an on-the spot fine of up to £100.

The CCA has also confirmed that Sark will enter Stage 1 of the lockdown exit earlier than Guernsey  - from Monday 15 February - and its school will reopen to pupils.