Guernsey Detects First Covid-19 Case In 129 Days

A case of coronavirus has been picked up in a person who arrived from the UK and was self-isolating.

The Director of Public Health has announced the identification of a positive case of Covid-19 in the Bailiwick.

Dr Nicola Brink says the person arrived from the UK, having complied with travel advice, and went straight into compulsory self-isolation.

They tested positive for the infection in their day 7 swab, taken on Sunday 6 September.

It follows news that the Isle of Man has its first case of the virus in 109.  Public Health says there is 'no link whatsoever'.

"Whilst I know this announcement will concern members of the community, it is important to remember that we have robust systems in place to identify cases and then track and trace any contacts. The identification of this positive case gives us confidence that these systems are working correctly.

Prior to Phase 5b, with a 14 day self-isolation requirement in place, we would not have identified any positive asymptomatic cases entering the island as there was no testing required. So it is statistically possible that we’ve had other cases but with no symptoms or testing, we’ve not identified them as we have with this case. The effectiveness of our self-isolation regime means we’ve not had any second generation cases and that the Guernsey public is at little more risk than before we brought in 7 day testing." - Dr Nicola Brink.

Chief Minister Deputy Gavin St Pier says the fact that the Bailiwick and the Isle of Man have found their first cases in months on the same day 'is pure coincidence'.

"We always knew we would see further cases of COVID-19 in the Bailiwick and have said so many times over recent months. In this case the fact that the patient followed all travel advice and immediately went into compulsory self-isolation on arrival in the Bailiwick means we can be confident we have reduced any risk of its transmission in the community to a point where it is extremely low, which is the whole purpose of the rules we have.

The identification of one positive case does not mean that we will go back into earlier phases of lockdown. It does, however, highlight the critical importance of travellers adhering to the self-isolation requirements on entering the Bailiwick. The rules are there, as we have found, for a reason which is why any breach is rightly taken so seriously by Law Enforcement and the courts."

Anyone concerned they might have coronavirus should call the helpline on 756938 or 756969