15 June 2021
The
COVID Safe team are thanking businesses and the public for achieving an increase
in contact tracing details being recorded last weekend.
The
sources of all current COVID-19
cases have been successfully traced so far,
reiterating the importance of giving accurate contact tracing details at venues,
and using the Covid Alert app to keep the Island safe this summer.
Strategic
Lead of COVID Safe, Caroline Maffia said: “We continue to pursue all links to
cases to understand how and where the transmission of COVID-19 has occurred.
Thanks to good contact tracing measures; the honesty, accuracy and speed of
information from individuals that have tested positive for Covid-19, we have
been able to link new cases back to an original source, which for the time
being, means all cases remain linked to the border.
"Providing
accurate contact tracing details when visiting hospitality venues is critically
important to our COVID Safe team, who work tirelessly to trace cases and direct
contacts. This practice will remain in place for the foreseeable future and
should be respected by venue visitors.
“We
are grateful to businesses who are complying with the legal contact tracing
requirements. This continues to help us find and test people most at risk and
subsequently slow onwards transmission in the Island.”
Today,
Jersey has moved into an interim stage of the
Reconnection Roadmap, meaning the legal
requirement of masks is no longer required aside from when using public
transport, although masks continue to be recommended where physical distancing
cannot be maintained.
Deputy
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat said: “Although we continue to relax
measures, it is important the public remain mindful of the remaining responsibilities
they have to keep everyone safe.
“The
presence of the Delta variant as the dominant strain has been anticipated throughout
relaxation measures and support of existing requirements. We can expect the
majority of cases on Island to be the Delta variant, as this is now known to
make up 96% of the sequenced cases being found in the UK. I encourage those
eligible who are over 18, to book for their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as
possible as this offers significant protection against this strain.
“Finding
common routes of transmission whether that be social gatherings or venue
attendance, helps us to understand the risks presented by the current number of
cases. At this time, we remain confident that the cases on Island continue to
be supressed thanks to the testing and tracing measures.”
Various
COVID-19 testing
opportunities within workplaces remain available and
businesses are being encouraged to register for the appropriate programme.
Director
of Testing and Tracing, Rachel Williams said: “Regular testing will help keep
businesses running and customers confident that they are as safe as possible.
Over the summer, we encourage public facing businesses to utilise the weekly,
lateral flow testing programme which has been designed to be quick and easy for
staff.
“Islanders
are strongly encouraged to call the helpline to request a test, if they notice
the onset of even one of the eight main COVID symptoms - fever, cough,
loss of smell, headache, sore throat, diarrhoea, fatigue or muscle aches. We also
ask that if you suspect you might be a direct contact, to please wait for a text
message or phone call from the COVID Safe team.”
Connect Me Services
are still available for those identified as direct contacts and needing to go
into isolation. Help and support with practical needs when isolating such as
food deliveries and sickness pay can be accessed by calling the helpline on
0800 735 5566.
gov.je