ISLANDERS are being urged not to visit the Hospital if they have Covid-19 symptoms – as it was revealed that more than 100 deaths related to the virus have now been recorded since the start of the pandemic.
Health Minister Richard Renouf (pictured) expressed his sympathy to all families for their loss and added that the Island ‘cannot be complacent’ despite the lifting of several restrictions.
Yesterday, work-from-home guidance came to an end while laws requiring mask-wearing in shops were removed. On Monday 7 February, the government’s contact-tracing programme is to come to an end while travel requirements will return to how they were pre-pandemic.
A Covid death is one where Covid-19, or suspected Covid-19, is mentioned on the death certificate. This includes all cases where the virus is recorded, whether as the direct cause or in combination with other health conditions. Probable Covid-19 is defined as ‘the person either tested negative in laboratory testing or was not tested for Covid-19 and the cause of death was certified as ‘probable Covid-19’ based on clinical history and investigations.
The minister said: ‘Unfortunately this week has seen us surpass 100 Covid-related deaths in Jersey. I extend my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. We all feel sympathy for their loss.
‘This sad milestone reminds us all that we cannot be complacent. The pandemic is not over. While we are easing a number of the requirements we have put in place, I appeal to everyone to continue to be vigilant and act responsibly. We are moving away from fixed and enforceable measures to focusing on public-health guidance and the exercise of common sense by Islanders.
‘While the risk of disease and severe illness from Covid in Jersey is now much less than we have known previously, I want to remind Islanders that they can visit the Vaccination Centre at Fort Regent without a booked appointment to get their first, second or booster dose. Being vaccinated ensures those that are vulnerable in our community are as protected as possible.
‘Such actions will help limit further hospitalisations and untimely deaths from this disease.’
Last month, restrictions were placed on visitors to the Hospital after a small number of people attended with symptoms.
And the Health Department has confirmed that since Thursday 27 January – when visiting rights were eased – more people with Covid-19 symptoms have visited the Hospital and subsequently tested positive.
A government spokesperson said that ‘visiting guidelines will continue to be reviewed on a daily basis to ensure that visiting is safe for patients and that our ability to maintain resilience in our vital healthcare workforce can be maintained’.
The following guidelines remain in place:
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Only two named visitors are permitted per patient. Only one of those visitors is to attend at visiting session and must only visit one patient while in the Hospital. Staff on wards will keep a record of those named visitors.
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Visitors must not be subject to any self-isolation requirements or have symptoms associated with Covid-19.
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Visitors must strictly adhere to hand hygiene with alcohol gel on entrances to clinical areas and must wear facemasks over the mouth and nose at all times.
There are currently 2,745 known active cases in the Island.
