No cases of virus yet as Co-op looks at home delivery of food
MORE than 80 people have now been tested for Covid-19 in Guernsey, as the island gears up to cope up with a possible outbreak.
So for all tests for the coronavirus have been negative, with nine people awaiting results.
The Channel Islands Co-operative Society has been looking into arranging home delivery, to ensure access to food.
Operation of this service is conditional on whether Guernsey is affected by the virus and whether the individual has other access means.
CI Co-op acting chief executive officer Mark Cox said: ‘We are preparing, should there be an outbreak in the Channel Islands, to be able to deliver food parcels to islanders who are self-isolating should they have no other means of getting food.’
Isolated people would likely benefit most from this service.
‘We want to be able to facilitate some form of home delivery and provide for anyone needing to stay indoors. We are working on various plans to ensure food is accessible to all.’
In the meantime it is business as usual.
‘We will ensure we continue to provide services to customers should there be an outbreak in Guernsey.’
Precautions are in place should they become necessary.
‘Should any colleagues be affected by the virus then we may need to reduce the opening hours of some of our stores, or shut some of our smaller stores, but ensure we still support the community.’
Continued provision of food to residents is of primary importance.
Heightened demand for cleaning products and dried goods is being monitored.
‘Islanders are buying more soap, hand sanitiser and personal hygiene products.
'We are working closely with suppliers to secure as much stock as we can.’
Co-operative pharmacy manager Sara Kynicos said: ‘All our Guernsey pharmacies experienced very high sales of hand sanitiser over the last couple of weeks.
‘Nearly all now have low stock.
'We are working with our supply team to ensure we have access to as much product as possible.
‘Customers should refer to the States of Guernsey’s health advice. Our pharmacists are available should any islander have concerns or need more advice.’
Further advice has been issued regarding transmission preventatives.
A Medical Specialist Group spokesman said ‘There are two types of hand sanitiser – an anti-bacterial and an anti-viral. Almost all are packaged as anti-bacterial.
‘For an anti-bacterial hand sanitiser to be effective against viruses they must have at least 60% alcohol content.
‘There is nothing wrong with anti-bacterial sanitiser, but they do not deal with viruses at all.
‘There is no use using them for any virus, such as the coronavirus, common cold or flu, all of which are viral infections.’
Islanders are encouraged to follow advice offered by the States. This can be found at: gov.gg/coronavirus or by calling Public Health on 725241.
