New Covid variants likely to spread with increased travel
INCREASED travel over the summer is likely to see new Covid variants spreading to Guernsey more quickly, director of Public Health Dr Nicky Brink has said.
In the UK, the number of Covid cases and the number people admitted to hospital with Covid have been steadily rising since the start of July.
There are currently two noteworthy SARS-CoV-2 variants which Guernsey Public Health is closely monitoring – EG.5/EG.5.1 and BA.2.86, as there are concerns they will lead to more cases of Covid.
Guernsey no longer does Covid sequencing on-island, as the type of variant is unlikely to affect local recommendations.
‘This does not mean that we have not been monitoring the situation closely and considering any implications for the Bailiwick,’ said Dr Brink.
‘In general, it can be assumed that the Bailiwick will see the same mix of variants as the UK, with a couple of weeks’ delay.
‘However, we also acknowledge that there is increased international travel during the summer, and this increases the likelihood of novel variants being brought into the island.
‘In mitigation, the Bailiwick is due to commence an autumn booster programme and has maintained some capacity for PCR and LFT testing in clinical settings. Plans are in place to resume routine respiratory disease surveillance this autumn, which includes monitoring.’
Guernsey could also reinstate Covid sequencing surveillance on-island, if it was needed.
Dr Brink said that Public Health still received information on case numbers in the Bailiwick, which provided information on the current situation.
‘While we no longer provide free LFTs, we know that the public are still buying them,’ she said.
‘Our online reporting of a positive LFT is also still available and I would encourage people with a positive LFT to use this.’
While there have been localised Covid outbreaks in the community, Dr Brink said there had been no known outbreaks of Covid in residential or nursing homes in the Bailiwick.
‘Data from our respiratory surveillance shows low numbers of cases identified and, of those, low numbers requiring admission to the hospital,’ she said.
‘I appreciate, however, that islanders may feel that there is an increase in cases due to cases within their family and social circles.’
She said based on the information she had, she was not recommending any additional action currently.
‘We will continue to review information regarding current and novel variants as it becomes available and modify our current recommendations if required.’
