10 November 2020
First civilian Covid-19 case in the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands Government can confirm the first positive civilian test result for Covid-19. This case was identified through quarantine surveillance swabbing; the individual in question has been in quarantine ever since their arrival in the Islands and remains so. They will continue to receive regular testing at intervals and will not be able to leave their premises until their quarantine period comes to end and they test negative for Covid-19.
On receipt of this positive result, KEMH immediately initiated the approved track and trace protocols and is continuing to monitor the situation closely. As previously stated, it was always expected that regular testing would produce a positive result, and this serves to demonstrate that surveillance swabbing during quarantine is working in the way intended. We can also confirm that there are no Covid-19 patients in KEMH.
More information will be available to the public later on today in a press conference to be held at 2:30pm local time. In the meantime, we would like to assure the community that every necessary action is being taken to keep people safe and the situation is being very carefully managed.
In the meantime, people are reminded of the importance of good public hygiene measures:
- Always cough and sneeze into a tissue and dispose of the tissue safely in a bin and wash your hands afterwards. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze and cough into the crook of your elbow.
- If you are unwell with any infectious illness, please act responsibly and stay away from people and crowds and isolate yourself as much as possible.
- Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and avoid sharing personal items.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use a disinfectant, especially after coughing and sneezing, and always before handling and consuming food and after using the toilet.