Covid Cluster: Ambulance Called For Symptomatic Workers

An ambulance had to be called after some supply chain workers went to work with symptoms, which led to the Covid cluster that means non-essential shops can't reopen as planned tomorrow (27 January).

The incident is currently being investigated and the Health Minister has told Channel 103 that it may lead to criminal proceedings.

These shops will not be able to open until Wednesday 3 February at the earliest - which means close contact services like hairdressers won't be able to open now until at least Wednesday 10 February.

The Council of Ministers announced last week that there will be a three-week gap between easing Covid restrictions. Therefore, the reopening of hospitality will also be delayed by at least a week.

Deputy Richard Renouf called the situation 'frustrating, disappointing and also worrying that people are still not taking the guidance seriously'.

"It affects so many other people now. We're in this situation where infection is possibly spreading, we've got to contact-trace quite a few hundred people and there are risks there.

"It means we've had to delay (reopening non-essential shops and indoor recreation) for at least a week while we check all this out. So frustrating."

In a statement released earlier today, Deputy Renouf said the workers were also not wearing PPE as they should have been.

He told Channel 103 that he found out this news at 9pm last night and after officers worked out what happened, STAC gave options to Ministers this morning. Ministers then decided to delay the reopening of non-essential shops for at least seven days.

Deputy Renouf says as this cluster has occurred in the supply chain, there was concern that it could lead to the virus spreading quite quickly.

"If we allowed customers into retail and staff back at work, then it is quite possible we would have lost control of the situation and it would become a much more serious outbreak.

"We need to find out what has happened, how far it has spread, and clamp down on it."

All contact tracing and tests linked to this cluster are due to be completed by Friday 29 January, where further news is due to be given on any new measures, if any, that need to be taken.

He has pleaded with people to abide by the rules - warning that just a few people not doing so can affect everyone.

"We don't want to see our (Covid case) numbers reversing, we want to get them down to a figure that we have under control, we want to keep people out of hospital.

"Please observe the guidance. It may be tedious sometimes to keep on wearing a mask and doing all those things, but it's so important to protect the island and our community."

Jersey remains on 143 known active cases of coronavirus.

The latest stats show that three people have been diagnosed in the last 24 hours, with three others who had the virus recovering.

There are still three people with coronavirus being treated in hospital, while the number of care home residents known to have coronavirus has fallen to nine.

Two more Jersey school students have tested positive for coronavirus.

One goes to Hautlieu and the other attends Grouville.

Eight cases have been identified amongst students and staff since schools reopened on 11 January.