Second coronavirus case in Jersey

Wednesday 11 March 2020

A second official case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Jersey.

The individual returned from north-west Italy on Sunday 8 March.

They are said to be "well", but remain in self-isolation alongside a family member.

The second Jersey case of Coronavirus has been confirmed by Health and Community Services: https://t.co/p2032u8Rwi#CoronavirusJSY pic.twitter.com/6mGiJ4YsTT

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) March 11, 2020

Health officials are now looking to track down any relevant close contacts.

They declined to provide further information about the patient to protect their confidentiality.

It is the third case to be officially confirmed in the Channel Islands, with a single case in Guernsey and another in Jersey involving an individual who had also recently returned from Italy.

Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Dr Ivan Muscat commented:  “We want to reassure Islanders that the two people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Jersey are receiving all the care and medical attention necessary. We are working with the individuals concerned to trace any relevant close contacts and therefore ensure that they are managed appropriately

“Our aim is to be open with islanders and ensure that we give the best possible treatment and care to our patients whilst protecting their confidentiality. 

“The best thing people can do to help stop the spread of coronavirus is to be scrupulous about hand, surface and respiratory hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Use tissues to cough or sneeze into and throw them away as soon as you have used them. Keep the surfaces you work on and touch as clean as you can. Those messages will not change.”

The news comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Covid-19 a global pandemic.

BREAKING

"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020

This definition relates to the transmissibility of the illness, rather than its severity.

In 80% of cases, symptoms are mild.

Jersey's Emergencies Council is meeting on Thursday in the Royal Court building to discuss the island's response to the illness.

Anyone returning from Italy or any of the most affected countries (China, Iran and South Korea) is reminded to self-isolate for 14 days - whether they have symptoms or not.