WATCH: Guernsey lockdown extended as care home outbreak identified

Friday 05 February 2021

Guernsey's lockdown is being extended, the island's emergency authority has decided, after case numbers hit 361 and an outbreak was discovered in a care home.

The island first went into what was initially billed as a "short, hard" lockdown on 23 January.

In an update today, Chief Minister Deputy Peter Ferbrache said a decision had been taken to extend the 'stay at home' instruction, with a further update expected next Wednesday (10 February).

"As there is still a risk of contagion, we are not making any changes to the rules for the next few days," he said.

Video: Today's covid-19 update.

The press conference provided a mixture of good and bad news, with Thursday the first day that there have been no recorded positive cases from unknown community sources.

However, that positive update has been tempered by the emergence of an outbreak in one of Guernsey's care homes.

"We have a very serious situation in the form of a care home outbreak," said Public Health Director Dr Nicola Brink. "We need to focus on that."

Medical Director Dr Peter Rabey said two members of staff and two of the 11 residents had tested positive in the last 24 hours

The entire staff has been put into isolation. Dr Rabey said they were unable to staff that home, so have decided to move those residents into wards at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, with the two positive cases in a separate ward. 

"That's the best place for us to look after them," he said. "The important thing is that they are being kept safe and looked after during this."

Pictured: A breakdown of covid case figures in recent days. 

There are currently 361 known active cases, with 17 new cases and two recoveries yesterday. 

Dr Brink said there were promising trends, but also points of concern.

"What we can see is a gradual flattening of that curve but we have to stay vigilant."

It was confirmed this morning that Alderney has recorded its first positive case, who was discovered through contact tracing and was already in self-isolation. The island's Medical Director, Dr Sally Simmons, said there was no evidence of community spread.

"Everything has been done appropriately and the patient has adhered completely to the self-isolation policy and continues to do so," she assured. "We are in touch with twice daily phone calls and everything is under control. We are going to stay safe."