Nearly 4,000 rush for jabs over the weekend
THOUSANDS of islanders got jabbed over the weekend as the community showed the Guernsey Together spirit to take on Omicron, save Christmas and keep the island active into January.
Vaccinations had been running at about 1,000 a day last week, but on Saturday 1,414 people went through the Community Vaccination Centre at Beau Sejour, many queueing for more than an hour.
A further 1,240 attended special clinics hosted at three GP practices, an experiment pulled together in three days which paid off handsomely for Public Health.
Yesterday another 1,244 were vaccinated at the CVC.
‘What a team and what an amazing result,’ said director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink on Twitter.
‘Thank you does not seem adequate. But thank you very much to everyone involved. I cannot express how impressed I was when I went to the centre. The community has been so supportive and patient. Everyone is working together to a common goal.’
Civil Contingencies Authority adviser Deputy Heidi Soulsby also praised the community effort.
‘We’re doing over 1,000 boosters a day – that’s the equivalent of one million in the UK. Thank you to all those who have made it happen.’
Queues fluctuated during the weekend. ‘I had my letter so thought I would do my bit for the community,’ said Tony Fisher, who waited just 10 minutes yesterday morning.
‘I saw the drop-in and thought now would be a good time so I didn’t feel ill over Christmas,’ added Caroline Wallbridge, who also attended Beau Sejour. ‘It was quick and efficient.’
However the threat of Covid to health and island services was still obvious at the weekend.
St John’s Residential Home in Saumarez Park has closed to visitors after Covid cases were found among residents and staff.
The residents continue to be cared for in the home but it was closed temporarily for further testing to be done.
A States spokesman said the nursing home's team was working closely with Public Health.
And the Guernsey Resilience Forum has met to consider how essential services and infrastructure could continue if there was a significant rise in Covid cases, even combined with poor weather or losing key people through illness or isolation.
‘With the aim of living responsibly with Covid and keeping services, livelihoods and businesses going, we are all asking ourselves what additional preparations or changes we can put in place at this stage,’ said Jason Moriarty, strategic lead for operation delivery at the States.
Planning for the worst, page 8
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