Image source, States of Guernsey

The introduction of on-island testing has "radically improved" Guernsey's health services ability to understand what is happening with coronavirus in the Bailiwick.

However, the director of Public Health says: "We still need more time to get a real sense of what’s happening more widely in the island."

This is because testing has focused on the two clusters identified in residential care homes in the island.

Dr Nicola Brink said: "While the number of tests we do each day has already increased, and we’re getting results faster, we haven’t had it in place long enough to gather the data that would give me confidence to relax the ‘lockdown’ restrictions significantly.

"For now, staying at home is the best way we can stay safe and save lives."

Guernsey's state of 'lockdown' has been extended following a 14-day review.

The decision was made following advice from the director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink, with the restrictions "kept under review".

It means islanders must continue to only leave their home in these limited circumstances:

• Shopping for basic necesseties
• Medical need
• For exercise
• Travelling to and and from work for critical workers

The only change to the restrictions will allow non-essential retailers to carry out home deliveries, effective from 00:01 BST on Wednesday.

Deputy Gavin St Pier said the allowance aimed to "look after people’s physical and mental health".

Sales must be made by phone or online and deliveries must be made in line with social distancing rules, the States said.

Ben Chapple
BBC News Online

The closure of freight group Channel Island Lines should not impact the supply of essential goods as it is handled by different operator, said Deputy Lyndon Trott.

The vice-president of Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee is leading on economic support measures during the pandemic.

He said the group, which was made up of four freight firms, was "a key component" in the supply chain for the island's construction industry.

Mr Trott warned: "There will clearly be a knock-on effect for that sector once we are through this difficult period.

"In the short term, there should be no impact on the supplies of essential goods such as food as the cold food chain is handled through different operators. Our supply chain remains strong for these essentials."

He said: "From the start we have been open and frank with our community.

"Government will not be able to save every business, despite the measures that are currently in place and additional measures under review.

"However, the message is clear - I would encourage every business to consider the measures we have put in place in support, including the loan guarantee scheme, grant scheme and payroll co-funding scheme in relation to their specific circumstances."

Details of those schemes are available at www.gov.gg/coronavirus, external

Ben Chapple
BBC News Online

Guernsey's emergency ambulance service is spreading crews across three different sites in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

One ambulance will be stationed at Les Gigands, near Oatlands, another will be based at Les Cotils, with remaining crews at the ambulance station in the Rohais.

Image source, St John Ambulance Guernsey

Chief ambulance officer Mark Mapp said: "Splitting the crews significantly reduces the likelihood of an entire team having to go into isolation if one of them becomes unwell with conornavirus symptoms.

"Although at the present time crews are spending most of their shift on the road we want to reduce the time whole teams are together in one place."

He thanked the management of the two additional sites for accommodating the service and acknowledged the flexibility of staff in "adapting to changing circumstances".

Last week Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service announced it would have a crew at Beau Sejour in addition to the fire station.

A fourth person in Guernsey has died in relation to Covid-19.

The individual was in their 80s and died over the weekend, the States of Guernsey confirmed.

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said: "I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected at this extremely sad time."

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Retired or non-practising medical staff will be able to temporarily register in order to help out during the coronavirus pandemic, the States of Guernsey has confirmed.

The Committee for Health and Social Care is now authorised to temporarily register any "fit, proper and suitably experienced person", following an emergency meeting by Guernsey's Civil Contingencies Authority.

Other changes include the continuation of parish business in the absence of ratepayers’ meetings, meaning constables and douzeniers can continue to make decisions so long as ratepayers' are given the chance to offer their views.

The emergency plans will also allow 'second opinions' on medical cases to be made by qualified staff on island in order to limit the number of people travelling to the island.

Deputy Gavin St Pier, Chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority, said the changes were one example of how Guernsey aimed to "plan one step ahead".

The supplier of Guernsey's electronic health record systems will provide a further six months of support "in light of the Covid-19 pandemic" as work to bring in a new system continues.

Support for the current system TRAKCare 2012 is now due to finish on 31 March 2021.

The Committee for Health and Social Care and the Policy and Resources Committee are asking the States for the authority to spend up to £20m to bring in a replacement system, external.

Bringing a new system online could take 18 months.

The report from the committees said: "The possible impact that any resulting downtime might have on crucial services and patient care would be unacceptable at any point but given the evolving global picture in respect of COVID-19, it is particularly untenable at this time."

One Guernsey taxi firm will be dealing with any trips to the airport in a bid to minimise the spread of coronavirus in the island.

Under current restrictions only "essential travel" is allowed on or off island and anyone coming into the island needs to complete 14 days of self-isolation.

The advice from Traffic and Highway Services is if those travelling are unable to drive themselves a friend or family member can collect them, but social distancing must be followed and the car must be cleaned afterwards.

Taxi journeys are "a last resort" and will be co-ordinated byIsland Taxis, external. Driver will only take one passenger unless it's a couple or family who will be isolating together and the vehicles will be throughly cleaned afterwards.

For other taxi journeys, drivers are asked to make sure they meet essential travel requirements and the latest Public Health guidance.

The money is being made available by the suspension of the 2021 grant programmes run by Guernsey's Overseas Aid and Development Commission.

It is discussing with the charities it supports about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their planned work for this year.

The commission "anticipates this will mean at least £1m of the 2020 budget will be unspent" and will be returned to the States to be used in its coronavirus response.

It will continue its normal approach to Emergency Relief funding - for which it has a budget of £350,000.

Commission President Emilie McSwiggan said: "The effect of coronavirus around the world means it will not be possible, for at least the next few months, to safely deliver many of the programmes we usually support.

"And, locally, the crisis has put enormous pressure on the public sector, and we’ve all had to consider scaling back business as usual so we can free people up to support the pandemic response.

"What we do want to emphasise is that this should not change the States’ commitment to providing aid and support for international development in the long term.

"The coronavirus has shown just how connected a world we are, and helping other countries to recover will also benefit our own Bailiwick."

Guernsey's health and care providers are asking for people with experience in caring for others who would be willing to work in the island's care homes and caring in the community.

A spokeswoman said the "urgent public request" was due to the "unprecedented challenges" facing community services along with local residential, nursing and care homes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Two care homes in the island have been identified as the sites of clusters with at least 40 confirmed cases among residents and staff.

The spokeswoman said interest from anyone who has previously worked in the sector or cared for a family member or friend would be welcome.

Part-time and full-time paid roles are being offered for those who are generally fit and well and have not had contact with anyone who is Covid-19 positive.

Anyone interested or wanting more information can call 725241 ext 3313 or email vicky.trench@gov.gg, external

"I am very sorry to report that a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 sadly passed away over the weekend. The patient was in their 80s," said Guernsey's director of Public Health.

Dr Nicola Brink said: "I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected at this extremely sad time."

She said: "This announcement will inevitably concern the community as it confirms the stark reality that, for some this virus is extremely dangerous, even if for the majority it causes relatively mild symptoms."

There are 154 confirmed cases in Guernsey after more than 1,000 test results.

Currently 84 tests remain outstanding and 27 people have recovered from the virus.