Jersey no longer has any known active cases of COVID-19. The latest test results, published today, show that there has only been one positive test result in the last 7 days. All the recently discovered active cases were identified through the proactive screening of essential workers, and all have involved people showing no symptoms.
Islanders are, however, reminded to continue following the latest public health guidance. Good hygiene and physical distancing are still advised as Jersey continues to move through Level 2 of the Safe Exit Framework, to help maintain the current situation.
The Health and Social Services Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: “This is a significant milestone and an ideal time to offer my personal thanks to Islanders for their cooperation in achieving a situation with zero active COVID-19 cases. We wanted to prevent a significant outbreak, but we have managed to go a lot further than that, flatlining the curve by working together and following public health advice.”
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Susan Turnbull, said: “It is a testament to collective efforts and resilience of the people of Jersey, and the actions of Government as well as my exceptional colleagues, notably Dr Ivan Muscat as our expert on infection control, that we – meaning all Islanders - have managed to contain, and now suppress the spread of Covid infection so effectively. We find ourselves in an excellent position as we move into midsummer.”
A total of 10,897 Islanders have been tested to date. There have been 319 confirmed cases which have been subject to isolation and contact-tracing. This has helped to prevent isolated cases becoming clusters, and clusters becoming outbreaks.
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat said: “This is an important day that reflects the immense amount of work by many people since the pandemic response began. It is, however, very important to remember that coronavirus has not gone away. The risk of COVID-19 is something we must learn to live with, unless, or until, an effective vaccine becomes widely available to protect us. We must therefore carry on following precautions, as set out in the public health guidance, that are proportionate to the level of risk.”
To reduce the risk of a rise in infection rates as activity increases, Islanders should continue to follow the public health advice:
- Safer hygiene
- Safer at a distance
- Safer in smaller groups
- Safer outside
People are asked to regularly wash hands, clean surfaces especially touch surfaces, wear cloth masks in enclosed public spaces, keep at least 1 metre away from anyone outside their household and self-isolate and self-refer to the helpline if they have symptoms of Coronavirus.
High risk individuals can follow further advice and activity guidance and the helpline remains available on +44 (0) 1534 445566.
Government of Jersey News Release.