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The 4,000-swimmer charity fundraiser was due to start at Les Quennevais pool today, but organisers pulled it on the advice of Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Dr Ivan Muscat.

He explained: “We are not currently calling for the cancellation of all large public events or calling for Islanders to avoid swimming pools altogether. However, given the large attendance, and spectators, in a warm, humid atmosphere, we are taking this precaution to limit the spread of the virus.”

Organisers said they were “hugely disappointed”, but added that they hoped individuals would still donate the funds they had collected for their chosen charities.

The decision comes after a Covid-19 case was officially confirmed in a patient who had recently arrived in Jersey from Italy, but officials maintained that the Swimarathon’s cancellation was “not directly” linked with the case.

The patient was tested after returning from the affected country last week, and received their positive result yesterday.

They are said to be “well” and currently in self-isolation.

The Health Department said it would not be releasing any further details about the individual to protect their confidentiality. 

Officials assured, however, that they are in daily telephone contact with the patient and will conduct further swab testing once their symptoms have cleared. They said they are also in the process of contacting passengers on the same flight as the individual and anyone else who has been in contact with them.

They also noted that the case is not linked to the self-isolation of JCG students, who had recently returned from Italy, earlier in the day.

Islanders have since been urged to continue practising good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently, covering their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze and disposing of tissues.

Officials have also moved to remind islanders that in more than 80% of cases, infection with the virus is mild. Unlike flu, they said current indications suggest individuals not displaying symptoms are unlikely to be contagious.

Jersey is the second Channel Island to confirm a case of Covid-19, with the first case reported in Guernsey on Monday.

The island’s Emergencies Council will be meeting tomorrow to discuss how to respond to the threat posed by coronavirus.

Ahead of that, over 1,000 government managers, team leaders and HR staff were yesterday morning ordered to hold compulsory briefings with their teams to share advice about how to handle the threat of coronavirus, while some students were called into emergency assemblies.

For more information about coronavirus, including the list of affected countries and advice on when to self-isolate, click HERE.

Follow Express for updates…