Confirmed patients with virus hit 52

Friday 27 March 2020

The number of people in Jersey officially confirmed to have covid-19 has now hit 52, it has been confirmed in the third update in under 24 hours.

The number of officially confirmed positive cases has therefore risen by six from 46, which was the latest update earlier this afternoon (Friday 27 March).

Released by Health officials shortly before 18:00, the new data shows that 601 islanders have returned a negative result, 52 have been confirmed as having the virus and there are 83 tests still pending.

It has not been confirmed whether any of these patients have been admitted to hospital, or how many contracted the virus locally rather than catching it whilst off-island.

After the public had to wait five days for yesterday’s (Thursday 26 March) set of results, the daily updates now come with the following message from Government:

“Overall test results are published as soon as they are available. We understand that it is reassuring to have a daily update on the figures at this uncertain time, but we cannot guarantee this because, like England, we are simply not receiving them as frequently, due to the high demand.”

The Chief Minister said yesterday that he hoped the Channel Islands would soon be able to work together on test analysis after Guernsey received the final bits of kit it needed to set up a dedicated facility.