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A Jersey patient with “flu-like symptoms” has been put in quarantine after arriving on the island from a country affected by Coronavirus, Health officials have confirmed.
Tests on the individual – who has not been named for confidentiality reasons – are now being carried out.
In a statement released this afternoon, officials described the measure as “precautionary”, adding that there was, at present, no evidence to suggest they have Coronavirus.
It will take around 48 hours for the results to come back.
In the meantime, officials have urged against “speculation or worry” from islanders.
Dr Ivan Muscat, Deputy Medical Officer of Health and consultant microbiologist, commented: “We are working to pick up any potential cases as quickly as we can and if they present with suspected symptoms, they can be tested as swiftly as possible.
“This is the same as in the UK and Europe, so we are mirroring best practice.”
In the meantime, the hospital is urging those who feel unwell or suspect they may have Coronavirus not to come in unannounced.
They also urged islanders to practice self-hygiene by washing their hands and disposing of tissues as soon as they have used them, and keeping any surfaces and touch points (like light switches) clean.
New arrivals to the island from mainland China have been asked to self-isolate for two weeks – whether or not they have symptoms.
Meanwhile, recent visitors to the following countries who develop coughs, fever or shortness of breath are also asked to self-isolate and contact their GP:
There are currently more than 30,000 recorded cases of the virus worldwide, and more than 600 deaths as a result.
So far, more than 620 tests have been conducted to detect the virus in the UK, of which three have been positive.
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