Press Release - Dr Brink on QuayFM 11.01.2022

Date: 11 January 2022

Issued at 1455 hrs

Community surveillance is working in Alderney - Director of Public Health

Following a slight decline in the number of active Covid-19 cases in Alderney, down from 118 last week to 114 yesterday, the Bailiwick's Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink has praised the Island for its community response.

Just one of the 114 cases is travel-related, the vast majority of the remainder detected in the policy of using Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) in the first instance regardless of symptoms, and immediately reporting any positive results.

"Most of the cases are those in the community who were symptomatic or contacts of known cases," Dr Brink said on QuayFM this morning. "The community surveillance programme is working very well in Alderney where islanders have engaged with the programme and willingly come on this important journey together."

Positive LFT results must be reported to Public Health in Guernsey on the Clinical Helpline on 220001 or 220002, or by completing the online form at www.gov.gg/covidnotification, and the Island Medical Centre (IMC) should also be notified by email - imc@cwgsy.net - so that the Island's doctors are aware of positive test numbers.

People with a positive LFT should self-isolate for 10 days with a reduction to 7 days if testing negative on both day 6 and day 7, and thereafter enter Enhanced Passive Follow Up (details at https://covid19.gov.gg/positive_case). Those who are self-isolating are asked to display a notice on their front door or gatepost to that effect.

Dr Brink emphasised the importance of the booster vaccination. Bailiwick data for early January 2022 supports a conclusion that residents who have not yet had a booster vaccination are currently 3 to 4 times more likely to have a Covid-19 infection compared to those who have received their booster.

"The aim of the vaccination is to prevent severe infection and hospitalisation," she said. "We have to move on and live responsibly with Covid. The new variant is unpredictable and we should protect ourselves against severe infection. We remain cautious about the variant which we are monitoring carefully following the reopening of our schools."

Dr Brink also re-emphasised the importance of wearing facemasks, hand-sanitising and maintaining good ventilation.

The IMC's Dr Sally Simmons has announced there will be a clinic for booster vaccinations on Tuesday (January 18th - 12.30-1.30 pm) which can be booked on 822077. The IMC is also offering a free consultation with a doctor to those who are uncertain about whether to have the booster or indeed for those who may not have received any vaccination.

More information can be accessed at Covid19.gov.gg.