Officials – along with governments across the world – were yesterday increasing measures to stop the spread of the virus which has infected at least 7,700 people in China and claimed more than 170 lives.
And as the disease can exist in humans for up to two weeks before showing symptoms, Islanders are urged to take extra precautions to help prevent transmission.
Meanwhile, anyone who has recently come to the Island from Wuhan, Hubei or elsewhere in mainland China is being told to ‘self-isolate’ at home for 14 days. Anyone who has a fever, cough or shortness of breath, and has recently arrived from an affected area of China, should contact their GP immediately.
A cross-government review group met yesterday to discuss what, if any, further steps needed to be taken – and is due to meet every week.
Two cases were confirmed in the UK on Friday. There are no suspected or confirmed cases in Jersey.
Dr Ivan Muscat, consultant in communicable disease in Jersey, said: ‘This is a rapidly evolving situation and we are working with other departments as part of our response to this respiratory virus.
‘Transmission of the virus across China is increasing, as it has outside China, and there may be undiagnosed cases in the UK, so it would be a prudent precaution for Islanders to take the simple measures outlined below to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These, of course, include hand and respiratory hygiene.
‘In the meantime, we want to reassure Islanders that we will continue to update them as the situation develops. There have been no suspected or confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in Jersey to date.’
Islanders are being advised to help prevent the possible spread of the virus by:
– Avoiding close contact with people who are sick and have travelled to affected areas.
– Avoiding touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
– Washing their hands frequently.
– Covering their nose and mouth when sneezing.
– Keeping surfaces and ‘touch points’, such as light switches, clean.
Islanders who suspect they may have the coronavirus are asked not to go to the Emergency Department at the Hospital, or to their GP’s surgery, unannounced.
Chinese health authorities have said the number of confirmed cases has passed 7,500. Infections have spread to at least 15 other countries. British Airways has suspended all flights to and from mainland China while Hong Kong’s government has confirmed that it would be implementing a number of measures – including travel restrictions to China – in an effort to tackle the coronavirus.
Jersey Finance, which has an office in Hong Kong, has said it was reviewing travel arrangements for its staff.
Joe Moynihan, chief executive of Jersey Finance, said: ‘The safety of our staff wherever they are in the world is our absolute priority at all times. This is an evolving situation which we are actively monitoring, following advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hong Kong (SAR) government and local intelligence which is our standard procedure.
‘No business travel has been undertaken from Hong Kong to mainland China yet in 2020 and any outward travel from Hong Kong by our Hong Kong-based team for business purposes is constantly under review as the situation develops.’
