Officials confirm death of patient under 50 with covid

Sunday 18 July 2021

Health officials have confirmed that a patient who had tested positive for covid has died in the General Hospital.

The only other details to have been released so far are that the patient was an adult under the age of 50, and who wasn't classed as being "clinically vulnerable." There is a formal process to go through before an official cause of their death is confirmed, and so at this stage officials have simply said that the patient had had a positive covid test.

This afternoon's government announcement also confirmed that there are currently now 12 patients in the General Hospital who have covid, with half having been fully-vaccinated. Two people are currently in the Intensive Care Unit.

Eight of those were admitted due to covid, with the remainder admitted for other reasons and found to be positive for covid when tested as part of the hospital's screening process.

The last official figures, which were timed at 16:45 on Friday 16 July, listed 2,053 'active' cases, with 10,924 direct contacts. 

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: “I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. It is incredibly sad to lose a loved one and I am sure that we all will feel sympathy for their loss. 

Dr Ivan Muscat, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, said: “I must emphasise the importance of being vaccinated to be protected against COVID. A person who has not been vaccinated is 25 times more likely to be hospitalised than a vaccinated individual. 

“We urge any unvaccinated Islanders to come forward for a first dose as soon as possible by booking online at gov.je/vaccine. Any Islander who is waiting for their second dose will be automatically sent an appointment.”