The Health Minister has once again moved to reassure Islanders that Jersey is well-prepared for any possible escalation of the ongoing health emergency.
As Island schools encouraged pupils to learn about the importance of hand-washing and other hygiene measures, Deputy Richard Renouf responded to comments from the Chamber of Commerce calling on the government to be more proactive.
Chamber chief executive Murray Norton said there had been little information on how the government would respond if an outbreak occurred in Jersey.
‘To have reassurance of specific plans would be helpful,’ he said. ‘We’d ask government to engage with us so we can help advise our members on how best to prepare and identify ways of co-ordinating any response.’
Deputy Renouf said he was confident the Island’s response was well-organised.
‘Key government colleagues are meeting regularly to monitor the situation,’ he said. ‘Government officers will shortly be making contact with key members of the business community to update them on plans. We would ask all businesses to ensure that their business continuity plans are up to date.
‘The department has developed robust plans to manage patients if necessary. We expect most patients to be able to be supported by self-isolation at home, but in some cases they may require hospitalisation. Were this to occur, we have clear plans in place to manage patients within the General Hospital in isolation beds.’
Key recent developments saw confirmation of the first British person to die from the virus. The death of a male passenger who was on the Diamond Princess cruise ship was confirmed by the Japanese health ministry on Friday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that he would chair a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee on Monday in response to a growing number of cases in Europe.
Several Islanders who have spent time in the areas of northern Italy worst affected by the spread of coronavirus are waiting anxiously for their test results.
The Health Department said that 20 tests had come back negative so far, with a further ‘ten to 20’ people awaiting the results of tests, which typically take around 48 hours to be processed.
Meanwhile Jersey schoolchildren have been encouraged to adopt higher standards of hygiene in an effort to make sure that germs and infection are not passed on. Trinity School posted pictures on social media of children participating in ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it!’ demonstrations.
‘I’m delighted to see that schools are getting involved in this,’ said deputy medical officer of health Dr Ivan Muscat. ‘These measures are simple and everyone can practise them. If you are stopping droplets from coughs and sneezes escaping, cleaning surfaces and regularly washing hands then you are disrupting the way viruses are transmitted.’
Three Islanders who were on holiday in Tenerife when their hotel went into lockdown mode because an Italian guest was confirmed as having the virus said that they were still waiting for news as to when they would be allowed to leave.
Sally Batho, Sheila Ruane and Sue Clement-Jones have been unable to leave the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel since dawn on Tuesday. Mrs Batho said that while they hoped to be allowed to continue their self-isolation after returning home, there had been no update about being allowed to leave before their 14 days’ quarantine expires on 9 March. The trio were in good spirits, but remained worried and frustrated by the situation, she said.
CI Travel Group, which operates weekly direct flights from Jersey to Tenerife, said that flights were due to operate as scheduled this Sunday and for the remainder of the winter season.
lAdvice is available at gov.je/coronavirus.
