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The number of patients in Jersey officially confirmed to have covid-19 has hit 32, after a five-day delay in obtaining test results.
The Chief Minister confirmed the results in an unscheduled statement this afternoon, shortly before new measures to support local businesses were due to be announced.
A total of 671 islanders have been tested in total, with 472 receiving negative results. 167 results are pending.
Video: The Chief Minister's statement.
The news came just hours after the first local death linked with the virus was confirmed this morning, and the Health Minister announcing that all islanders over the age of 65 and those with underlying conditions will have to enter self-isolation from midnight tonight.
Officials said the rise was not unexpected and corresponds with projections for Jersey by Dr Ivan Muscat.
Testing is currently carried out in London - one of the worst-hit areas in the UK - as Jersey does not have the ability to carry this out on-island.
The Chief Minister explained that high demand in the UK had led to delays in processing Jersey’s results, but reiterated that the island was aiming to set up its own testing facility in the coming weeks.
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