Probe into suspected community covid transmission

Tuesday 13 October 2020

The Health Department is currently investigating how one islander got infected with covid-19 after failing to find a potential source in the first suspected case of community transmission since borders reopened.

The Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Dr Ivan Muscat, revealed the case during a Scrutiny Hearing this morning.

Questioned by Deputy Inna Gardiner about how many cases of community transmission had been identified in the island, he said there had only been one recently.

“Over the last 10 or more days, we have only noted one individual in whom we have not yet identified the source,” he said. 

“We have tested some 50 contacts of that individual and have yet to determine a source or indeed a transmission, an onward transmission.”

Pictured: Dr Ivan Muscat, who is leading Jersey's pandemic response, confirmed the suspected case of community transmission this morning. 

While the team is still trying to identify how the individual was infected, Dr Muscat said that it might not be possible to do so.

“It may be that we will not be able to get further than we have so far in that scenario.” 

It was confirmed by the Government last night that there are currently 61 individuals confirmed to have the virus in Jersey after 30 new cases were identified over the weekend.

25 of the cases picked up between Friday and Sunday were new arrivals: 15 arrived from green zones, seven from amber and three from red.

The latest figures also included a group of eight agricultural workers who had been isolating in their employee accommodation since arriving in Jersey.