Guernsey Press

Up to 75 samples a day can be tested for Covid-19

GUERNSEY'S Covid-19 testing facility can analyse 40 samples a day, Health & Social Care has confirmed.

Published
People who return to Guernsey and are symptomatic are tested at a drive-through facility at the harbour. Screenshot from a video by the States about community screening for Covid-19. (27788413)

Samples can also still be sent to a lab in Collindale, which has agreed to process 35 samples a day.

The latest figures show that 749 tests have been carried out, with 91 positive cases, 620 negative and 38 awaiting results.

There were 78 positive cases as of 4.30pm yesterday.

'Initially testing was limited to those who had returned to the Bailiwick from an affected area who showed symptoms of COVID-19,' a HSC spokesperson said.

'Now we have on-island testing equipment we are able to expand our testing.'

This means that they can test:

* Up to 30 patients attending the Longfrie Surgery with symptoms consistent with COVID-19;

* All patients who are admitted to the hospital or attend the Emergency Department with respiratory symptoms;

* Any other patient in the community, for example in a residential and nursing home, where the GP is concerned about possible COVID-19;

* Any other urgent requests such as to release emergency crews who are contacts of suspected cases.

'We continue to offer testing for those people who return to the Bailiwick who are symptomatic (fever, cough or shortness of breath) and those who we identify as symptomatic contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19. These tests are carried out at a drive-through testing facility at the harbour.'

Anyone who is confirmed as being COVID-19 positive is subject to a Compulsory Self- Isolation order and they, and anyone else in their households, are required to stay at home and self-isolate.

The individual with the positive diagnosis must stay away from other household members.

Family members will also be tested if they develop symptoms.

Positive cases will be re-tested, now on day 14 or 48 hours after the last symptoms have resolved, whichever is latest in order to lift the Compulsory Self-Isolation order.

If the test is negative then the person is released from the Compulsory Self-Isolation Order. But they continue to be to be subject to same lockdown rules as the general population.