Second case of coronavirus confirmed in Jersey

Second case of coronavirus confirmed in Jersey

A day after the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed and as the World Health Organisation declared it a pandemic, the government said a second person had tested positive having returned to the Island from north-west Italy on Sunday.

The affected person is said to have self isolated at home and ‘remains well’.

In a statement, the Health Department said: ‘To protect the confidentiality of the individual and their family, no details will be released by the department.

‘The person has had no contact with anyone in Jersey since their return, apart from a family member, who is also self-isolating. Both will remain in self-isolation for the appropriate period of time.’

Dr Ivan Muscat, Jersey’s deputy medical officer of health, said: ‘As with the first case, officers from Environmental Health are in the process of approaching all relevant contacts. If the team do not contact you then there is no need to worry, and you do not need to contact the department or the helpline. We have all the contact details of the people we need to speak to.

‘We want to reassure Islanders that the two people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Jersey are receiving all the care and medical attention necessary. We are working with the individuals concerned to trace any relevant close contacts and therefore ensure that they are managed appropriately.

‘Our aim is to be open with Islanders and ensure that we give the best possible treatment and care to our patients whilst protecting their confidentiality.’

He added: ‘The best thing people can do to help stop the spread of coronavirus is to be scrupulous about hand, surface and respiratory hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Use tissues to cough or sneeze into and throw them away as soon as you have used them. Keep the surfaces you work on and touch as clean as you can. Those messages will not change.’

Islanders with queries or concerns about coronavirus, or who are concerned they may have symptoms of it, should call the government helpline on 445566. It is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

If you have been to an affected area and have returned to Jersey and think you have symptoms, you are reminded not to go to the Emergency Department or go to your GP unannounced. Individuals arriving from the most affected countries (mainland China, Iran, South Korea and Italy) are asked to self-isolate for 14 days even if they do not have symptoms.

If you have returned from any affected area and feel very unwell you should call an ambulance and let them know your travel history when you call so you can be assessed.

For more information visit gov.je/coronavirus.

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