Jersey’s tally of known active cases reached 47 yesterday, a rise of 33 over the previous seven days, with deputy medical officer of health Dr Ivan Muscat admitting for the first time that he expected the Delta variant to make up the majority of positive results.
Meanwhile, two Covid cases have been confirmed in Island schools. One student at D’Auvergne Primary School and one at Victoria College have tested positive for the virus. It is the first time cases have been confirmed in schools since April.
The latest figures came as the Island adjusted to further easing of restrictions, with facemasks no longer a legal requirement in most settings, and new travel arrangements that mean fully vaccinated passengers arriving from ‘red’ regions are required to isolate only until they receive their first negative test result.
Dr Muscat said: ‘Although we continue to relax measures, it is important the public remain mindful of the remaining responsibilities they have to keep everyone safe.
‘The presence of the Delta variant as the dominant strain has been anticipated throughout relaxation measures and support of existing requirements. We can expect the majority of cases in the Island to be the Delta variant, as this is now known to make up 96% of the sequenced cases being found in the UK. I encourage those eligible who are over 18 to book for their Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible, as this offers significant protection against this strain.’
Dr Muscat’s comments came as the results of a study by Public Health England showed that double doses of the Pfizer BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines offered 96% and 92% protection respectively against being hospitalised as a result of contracting the Delta variant. None of those making up Jersey’s case tally are currently receiving hospital treatment.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday evening that the easing of restrictions in England would be delayed by four weeks until 19 July. Jersey’s government has indicated that greater freedoms will be introduced from next Monday, but it has yet to be confirmed whether this plan will be affected by the recent increase in cases.
The Island’s rising numbers have led to a busy period for those working in contact tracing, with 787 people currently required to isolate as direct contacts of positive cases and officials stressing the importance of maintaining vigilance in providing contact details.
Strategic lead for the Covid Safe operation Caroline Maffia said the sources of all current cases had been successfully traced so far.
She added: ‘We continue to pursue all links to cases to understand how and where transmission has occurred. Thanks to good contact-tracing measures, the honesty, accuracy and speed of information from individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19, we have been able to link new cases back to an original source, which, for the time being, means all cases remain linked to the border.
‘Providing accurate contact-tracing details when visiting hospitality venues is critically important and will remain in place for the foreseeable future and should be respected by venue visitors.’
The government confirmed yesterday that there would be no addition before the weekend to the list of English districts subject to the Island’s emergency-brake legislation, which reclassifies regions with high Covid rates for incoming travellers. The list will remain at 54.
However, the emergency-brake districts will be re-evaluated again on Thursday (17 June), with any potential changes taking effect on Sunday (20 June).
While fully vaccinated passengers only need to isolate until they receive a negative result from their day-zero test, those who are not fully vaccinated must isolate until they receive a negative result from their day-ten test.
Islanders have also been encouraged to get regular checks as part of the workforce-testing scheme, and to contact the Coronavirus Helpline on 0800 735 5566 if they notice they have any of the eight main symptoms of Covid-19: fever, cough, loss of smell, headache, sore throat, diarrhoea, fatigue or muscle aches.
