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WATCH: Almost 400 cases in the second wave, 329 active now

WE are heading in the right direction, but we are not out of the woods yet, the director of Public Health has said.

Screen shot of a previous Covid-19 media briefing on Teams. Clockwise from top left States chief executive Paul Whitfield, CCA chair Deputy Peter Ferbrache, director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink, Guernsey Press journalist Juliet Pouteaux, P&R vice-president Deputy Heidi Soulsby and HSC president Deputy Al Brouard. (29209383)
Screen shot of a previous Covid-19 media briefing on Teams. Clockwise from top left States chief executive Paul Whitfield, CCA chair Deputy Peter Ferbrache, director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink, Guernsey Press journalist Juliet Pouteaux, P&R vice-president Deputy Heidi Soulsby and HSC president Deputy Al Brouard. (29209383) / Guernsey Press

Civil Contingencies Authority chairman Deputy Peter Ferbrache said how the two-week lockdown review was due this coming weekend.

A meeting will take place tomorrow and Deputy Ferbrache will update islanders of any changes, if there are any.

He encouraged people to continue washing their hands and practicing good hygiene, as well as wearing masks or face coverings in public. But ultimately, they should stay at home if they can.

'We know from the previous lockdown that there was a 20% increase in calls to the charity Safer about domestic abuse. That is likely to be the case again,' he said, urging people to call the charity on 721999 with any problems.

There are now 329 known active cases of Covid-19 in the Bailiwick.

36 new cases were found in the last day and 13 people recovered.

Five patients are currently in hospital.

Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209343)
Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209343) / Guernsey Press

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink explained the history of cases over the past few days.

Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209347)
Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209347) / Guernsey Press

'Of the 651 positive cases we've seen, 399 are from this second wave so we cannot be complacent at this time.'

Active cases are those where someone tested positive and has not yet become a 'closed' case by recovering or, sadly, dying.

Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209349)
Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209349) / Guernsey Press

Looking back, Dr Brink reminded people how the lockdown was triggered by the four community cases where the source was unknown.

'As we progress through the dates we want to see a reversion of those figures where more are found through contact tracing, rather than unknown community sources,' she said.

Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209352)
Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209352) / Guernsey Press

Up to midnight last night, another 10 unknown community sources were discovered.

'We are progressing in the right direction but we are not out of the woods,' Dr Brink said.

'We are having some people contact us three or four days after they become symptomatic. Please contact us right away if you do develop symptoms.'

Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209355)
Graphic by States of Guernsey. (29209355) / Guernsey Press

There have been no deaths in the second wave. However, there is an increasing number of patients contracting the virus who are over the age of 80.

Talking about schools, States chief executive Paul Whitfield reminded islanders how the testing capacity has increased - particularly with the use of the facility on the East Arm.

'When it comes to children of essential workers, only where both parents are essential workers and working from home is not an option, will students be able to come into the school.

Screengrab of today's Covid-19 press briefing. Top left, going clockwise, Dr Nicola Brink, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, Deputy Al Brouard, Deputy Heidi Souslby, States chief executive Paul Whitfield. (29209514)
Screengrab of today's Covid-19 press briefing. Top left, going clockwise, Dr Nicola Brink, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, Deputy Al Brouard, Deputy Heidi Souslby, States chief executive Paul Whitfield. (29209514) / Guernsey Press

'We really do need to keep the numbers in schools down,' he said.

This different approach to the previous lockdown is thought to keep the numbers down by a couple of hundred.

Staff and parents in these groups will be given information about testing soon.

At 1.45pm the panel addressed questions which had been submitted by children in the island.

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