16 March 2021

Update on Covid-19 swabbing and vaccinations in the Falkland Islands

As of today, Tuesday 16 March, the latest Covid-19 swabbing results are as follows:

• Total number of swab tests taken and processed to date: 7,112
• Total number of swabs taken but not yet tested: 0
• Total number of positive test results since 3 April 2020: 54
• Number of current positive test results within the Islands: 0

The next weekly swabbing update will be on Tuesday 23 March.

The KEMH vaccination programme will continue from Monday 22 March. To date, 1,787 people have had their first dose and the schedule for second doses will be published shortly. Everyone who received a first dose will be offered a second dose and will be given an official card to keep in their records which provides proof that they have been fully immunised.

People may have seen recent media stories linking the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to blood clots, and some countries have temporarily suspended the use of the vaccine. However, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said the evidence does not suggest that the jab causes clots. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also said there is no reason to stop using it, stating: “There is no evidence that the incidents are caused by the vaccine and it is important that vaccination campaigns continue so that we can save lives and stem severe disease from the virus.”

Vaccines remain the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. While a vaccine won’t prevent you from catching Covid-19, it teaches your immune system how to create antibodies to fight the disease so you are much less likely to be seriously or critically unwell. Having a vaccine also benefits the whole community as, if enough people are vaccinated, it’s harder for the disease to spread to those people who cannot have vaccines.