Half of 62 Covid cases in education settings
ALMOST half of the known Covid-19 cases in the Bailiwick affect those in educational settings, it was revealed yesterday.
At the press conference – which saw only chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority Peter Ferbrache and Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink on the panel – it was announced that the total number of cases has reached 62.
Sat on the other end of the table from his co-host, Deputy Ferbrache explained that the other familiar faces from the panel had been made aware that they might be contacts or contacts of a contact of a case.
After a risk assessment carried out by Dr Brink and other members of the CCA, it was deemed that it was better for those members to be in ‘passive follow-up’ as a precaution to ensure business continuity.
Deputy Ferbrache also announced that schools, colleges and early years providers, such as pre-schools and nurseries, would remain closed to all students this week, including to vulnerable students and children of essential workers.
This will be reviewed during the week.
‘Our overwhelming objective is to prioritise all our efforts in the following days and weeks in preventing further spread of the virus,’ he said.
Dr Brink explained how, of the 10 cases identified on Monday, three were from an unknown community source and seven were contacts. Yesterday, 13 cases were identified, one was a traveller, six were community cases and six were identified through contact tracing.
Across eight education settings [as of Monday], 30 cases were linked to a school, college or early years provider. Of these, 17 are pupils and 13 are staff or household contacts.
From yesterday, anybody travelling from Guernsey to Sark or Alderney will have to self-isolate for 14 days to protect those smaller communities that do not have the same depth of health services and infrastructure and who have remained Covid-free.
Deputy Ferbrache also recognised that the pandemic had caused financial havoc and announced that the hardship fund would be returning for individuals who need urgent financial assistance and who are not eligible for other benefits.
The co-payroll funding scheme, which was introduced in the first lockdown, will also return, but with some differences.