JERSEY is in the early stages of a new Covid wave, the government has said following a sustained rise in cases.
Since the beginning of the month, the seven-day case rate per 100,000 has soared, rising to 331 on 9 June, 541 on 17 June and 804 by yesterday.
The number of known active cases rose by 302 between 16 June and yesterday, to stand at 941. There are currently five people in hospital with the virus.
The rise has been driven by two new highly infectious sub-strains of Omicron – BA.4 and BA.5 – which have fuelled a similar rise in the UK.
Dr Ivan Muscat, the deputy medical officer of health, said the new sub-variants do not cause a more severe illness than previous strains, but are better able to evade the vaccine.
A government spokesperson said: ‘Today’s Covid-19 data has shown a sustained rise in cases and indicates that we are now at the beginning of a further wave.
‘We remain in a fortunate position with free PCR and LFT testing available, and Islanders continuing to follow public health guidance.
‘There are currently no plans to either increase or decrease any public health measures or guidance.
‘However, Covid-19 does still remain a threat to the most vulnerable and unvaccinated.
‘It is known that the effects of the vaccines wane over time, which means those that do not keep up with their vaccine schedule are not best protected.
‘As a significant portion of Islanders have not been eligible for the spring booster, and immunity from previous infections doesn’t guarantee protection against new variants, it is vital that everyone keeps doing the right thing to keep each other safe.’
Although people who test positive are no longer legally required to isolate, Islanders are being asked to take precautions if they feel unwell.
The government is asking anyone who is unwell with symptoms of Covid to isolate and book a PCR test.
Islanders are also being asked to follow the current guidelines of taking a lateral-flow test twice a week and before visiting vulnerable people or settings.
