One in three islanders with covid aged under 19

Friday 29 October 2021

More than a third of Jersey's 414 covid cases are amongst islanders aged 19 and younger, with most experiencing symptoms.

In a statement released today, Dr Ivan Muscat urged islanders to either get tested or phone the covid helpline if they had symptoms.

The latest available covid figures for local schools show that were 17 covid cases reported in schools last Friday (22 October 2021), including one pupil at D'Auvergne, one pupil at Grainville, one pupil at Victoria College and 14 pupils at Les Quennevais.

Total new cases reported for the week before half-term (18 to 22 October) were 52 pupils, and three members of staff. Meanwhile, one in 10 students in primary schools and secondary schools was absent - though not all of these were due to covid.

Just over half of 16 and 17-year-olds in Jersey have had at least one dose of the covid vaccine, and nearly one in four 12 to 15-year-olds has.

We've published the latest statistics regarding the number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered as at Sunday, 24 October 2021.

Statistics are published twice a week. Figures will be updated online, every Monday for the previous Wednesday, and every Thursday for the previous Sunday. pic.twitter.com/pAYkwyCLJm

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) October 28, 2021

Dr Muscat said this morning that anyone with the following symptoms should get a covid test:

• high temperature or fever

• new continuous cough

• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

• headache

• sore throat

• runny nose

Dr Muscat added: "As flu and covid-19 are in co-circulation this year, it is easy to confuse the two viruses, so it is best to check and book a PCR test and isolate if you are experiencing any symptom until you receive a negative PCR result.

"If symptoms continue to persist after receiving a negative result you are recommended to book a second PCR test.

"Around one in three people with covid do not experience any symptoms so Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) are an important way to detect asymptomatic cases."

Pictured: Dr Muscat encouraged islanders to go for a PCR test if they had symptoms.

He continued: "Students and school staff are encouraged to take an LFT and submit their results online before returning to school on Monday 1 November.

"Those who are signed up to an LFT programme should continue to test themselves twice a week, especially before going to parties or social activities, and before mixing with friends and family.

"The LFT home testing programme launched this week meaning that all Islanders aged 12 and over are eligible to register to receive free kits at home."