Public Health Services are reminding Islanders of the current advice for anyone who has returned from an area affected by the novel coronavirus - SARS-CoV-2.
The advice regarding self-isolation for those returning from Mainland China in the last 14 days who have no symptoms are asked to self-isolate for 14 days from the day they left Mainland China:
Public Health Services strongly advise that you self-isolate for a period of 14 days. If you develop any symptoms such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath you should phone your GP or the Emergency Department at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, the Infection Prevention and Control Team or Public Health Services (all available through the Princess Elizabeth Hospital switchboard - 01481 725241).
If you have returned from an affected are in the last 14 days and are feeling unwell, the advice is as follows:
If you have returned from an affected area in the last 14 days and have a fever, cough or shortness of breath seek immediate medical advice and attention by contacting your GP or the Emergency Department at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, the Infection Prevention and Control Team or Public Health Services (all available through the Princess Elizabeth Hospital switchboard - 01481 725241).
Please do not visit your GP or the Emergency Department at the PEH unannounced.
If you are very unwell and need an ambulance phone 999 and tell them your symptoms and travel history.
The following countries are included in our definition of an affected area:
Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand .
The list of 'affected areas' is not a list of affected countries. The list is updated following detailed analysis of data regarding the spread and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Guernsey Public Health Services collates information from the World Health Organisation and Public Health England but also assesses the risks for Guernsey and its health infrastructure. The advice takes into account a number of factors including the number of confirmed cases and how they were contracted. A local Scientific and Technical Advice team considers this data on a regular basis. The current advice with regard to affected areas has been in place since 7 February 2020 and was reviewed this week and the advice remains the same.
In addition to this advice, Public Health Services has today issued the following update:
We know that the Southeast Asian region poses a risk for travellers but at this stage we are unable to be more precise about which countries pose the greatest and lowest risks. This is because countries differ in ability to test for, and therefore, detect cases of the virus. As a result, the Director of Public Health considers it prudent for anyone who has returned from travel in any area of Southeast Asia to be on guard for symptoms - even very mild symptoms; fever, cough or shortness of breath- and contact Public Health Services for advice if these develop in the 14 days after returning from travel.
