Four in hospital as covid cases pass 800

Thursday 08 July 2021

There are 820 people recorded as having covid in Jersey, and four people are in hospital.

The figures mark a rise of 125 compared to yesterday - 52 people were seeking healthcare, 51 were contact traced, 14 through workforce screening, six at the borders and two through admissions screening.

5,746 people are direct contacts - since Sunday, they have not been required to isolate provided they agree to testing and do not return a positive result.

The number of people in hospital is an increase of two compared to yesterday.

Since Wednesday 7 July, 25 individuals have recovered and 125 new cases have been identified. 52 cases have been identified through seeking healthcare, 6 through inbound travel, 2 through admissions screening, 14 through workforce screening, 51 through contact tracing. pic.twitter.com/g9QOMxD9Di

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) July 8, 2021

At a press conference earlier today in which significant travel relaxations were announced, Acting Medical Officer for Health Dr Ivan Muscat said that those in hospital were a mixture of vaccinated and non-vaccinated people, but would not comment further in order to protect their identities.

According to the Government, there were 17 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in schools yesterday: "2 pupils at Beaulieu, 1 pupil at Grainville, 2 pupils at Hautlieu, 2 pupils at Jersey College for Girls, 1 pupil at Les Quennevais, 1 pupil at Plat Douet, 3 pupils at Springfield, 1 pupil at St Johns, 1 pupil at St. Michael, 1 pupil at St. Saviours, 1 pupil at Victoria College and 1 member of staff at Samares."

Express is aware that at least one secondary school has had to tell some of its students to learn from home this week as a result of staff shortages.

Earlier this week, National Education Union representatives told Express said that some younger teaching staff who hadn't had the opportunity to receive both doses of the vaccine feared they were being treated as "collateral damage". They also said they were worried about spreading the illness to children.

Pictured: School staff have raised concerns they are being treated as "collateral damage."

The Education Minister, Deputy Scott Wickenden, later commented: “Our aim through the pandemic has been to ensure that children remain in face-to-face learning wherever possible. For children preparing for a transition between schools, the next few weeks are especially important. We also know, from parents, that self-isolation can have a negative impact on their children’s wellbeing and mental health.

“I appreciate that teachers have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to support children and young people, and I’d like to thank them for that work. While I recognise that these changes may make some teachers uneasy, I’d like to reassure them that all other covid-safe measures in schools will remain in place."

He added that, "...as the [vaccination] programme continues to roll out, it will provide additional protection for teachers.”

The latest vaccination stats are as follows:

We've published the latest statistics regarding the number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered as at Sunday, 4 July 2021.

Statistics are published twice a week. Figures will be updated online, every Monday for the previous Wednesday, and every Thursday for the previous Sunday. pic.twitter.com/EV1UCdKaNQ

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) July 8, 2021