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Press conference cancelled as Gov awaits new scientific advice

Press conference cancelled as Gov awaits new scientific advice

Thursday 17 December 2020

Press conference cancelled as Gov awaits new scientific advice

Thursday 17 December 2020


The Government has cancelled tonight's press conference, saying it needs more time to assess trends from the hospitality circuit breaker.

It said it was "primed and ready to take swift action" if necessary after getting further advice from its scientific advisers.

A statement read: "Following the extended debate on the Government Plan, the Chief Minister has told the States Assembly that he is postponing tonight's press conference, until Ministers receive further advice from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (STAC) on the initial effects of our current measures.

"Medics have been looking at Jersey's data on a daily basis and tomorrow will be looking for any initial trends from our hospitality circuit break.

"We are watching the situation very closely and, based on STAC advice, are primed and ready to take swift action should this be needed."

It comes after the number of covid cases rose by 100 in a single day yesterday, bringing the total to 881.

32 people in hospital and 44 individuals in care homes have tested positive for the virus.

At least 10 of the individuals in hospital are there just for covid, with around five receiving high-flow oxygen treatment.

Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Dr Ivan Muscat, told Express at a press conference last week that the number of patients on high-flow oxygen in the hospital would have a bearing on when the Nightingale Ward would have to open. He said the hospital had capacity to help between 10 and 20 people in this way.

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Pictured: Dr Ivan Muscat previously said that the number of patients receiving high-flow oxygen would have a bearing on whether the Nightingale Ward is opened.

“There’ll come a point depending on how much oxygen usage there is that the Nightingale would have to open in order to cater for that number. The number of patients who will require that type of support won’t suddenly appear overnight," he explained.

"There’ll be a gradual increase to get to that number so there’ll be sufficient warning for us to know that the Nightingale is getting closer."

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