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The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Jersey.
Health officials said the patient, who had recently returned from northern Italy, was tested at the end of last week and received a positive result today.
They are said to be “well” and currently in self-isolation.
The Health Department said it would not be releasing any further details about the individual to protect their confidentiality.
The first Jersey case of Coronavirus has been confirmed by Health and Community Services.
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) March 10, 2020
Read the latest advice: https://t.co/vulxRxQ6VV#CoronavirusJSY pic.twitter.com/25LS1tyn4H
They added that they are in daily telephone contact with the patient and will conduct further swab testing once their symptoms have cleared.
Officials added that the case is not linked to the self-isolation of JCG students earlier today.
“Officers from Environmental Health are in the process of contacting the necessary passengers asking them to self-isolate. It does not affect everybody on the flight. If the team do not contact you then there is no need to worry and you do not need to contact the Department or the helpline. We have all the contact details of the people we need to speak to," Dr Ivan Muscat, Jersey’s Deputy Medical Officer of Health, commented.
“We want to reassure Islanders that the person who has tested positive for coronavirus in Jersey is receiving all the care and medical attention necessary. We are working with the individual concerned to trace any relevant close contacts and therefore ensure that they are managed appropriately."
Health officials advice update: Anyone arriving from Italy who develops symptoms that could be #Coronavirus should self-isolate and contact the helpline on 01534 445566 for advice.
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) March 6, 2020
For the latest updates, go to https://t.co/vulxRxQ6VV#CoronavirusJSY pic.twitter.com/jhv5y610zB
He went on to urge islanders to continue practising good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently, covering their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze and disposing of tissues.
Officials have also moved to remind islanders that in more than 80% of cases, infection with the virus is mild.
Unlike flu, they said current indications suggest individuals not displaying symptoms are unlikely to be contagious.
Jersey is the second Channel Island to confirm a case of Covid-19.
Guernsey confirmed that an islander who had recently returned from Tenerife has the illness yesterday afternoon.
Over 1,000 government managers, team leaders and HR staff were this morning ordered to hold compulsory briefings with their teams to share advice about how to handle the threat of coronavirus, while some students were called into emergency assemblies.
Jersey's Emergencies Council will be meeting on Thursday to discuss how to respond to the threat posed by coronavirus.
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