17 April 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH UPDATE
A batch of 64 swabs have been processed today in the UK, with none of them reported as positive for COVID-19. In total 319 samples have been sent to the UK so far – with 11 COVID-19 individuals having positive results returned. KEMH is continuing to collect further swabs for despatch on the next South Atlantic Airbridge.
There are now no patients with COVID-19 symptoms at KEMH.
Both patients who had tested positive and received treatment at the KEMH have recovered and been discharged. Nine other individuals, also from Mount Pleasant Complex, have been in isolation there as part of the ongoing MPC arrangements for dealing with cases. 4 of them have now completed their isolation.
As part of the BFSAI contribution to the Falkland Islands COVID-19 response, six members of the 16 Medical Regiment team are now beginning to work alongside staff at KEMH, having completed self-isolation after arriving from the UK.
Along with their specialist skills, the team has brought with it medical supplies and equipment, and six additional ventilators, to add to the hospital's own nine ventilators.
Remember: If you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms and are worried you might have COVID-19. phone the Hospital on 28000. Staff will provide advice. DO NOT come to KEMH directly.
ECONOMIC MEASURES
Executive Council has this afternoon passed a comprehensive package of new measures to help our businesses, private sector employees and households.
This is being released as a separate press statement this evening.
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
With a southbound Airbridge arriving tonight, we are emphasising to ALL those coming off the flight that it is vitally important that you and your relatives or family understand and follow guidance on self isolation that specifically applies to you.
Under guidance released April 7 by the Government, new arrivals are in a category called Quarantine.
You must self-isolate for 14 days just in case you have COVID-19 and don’t realise it. Some people who have COVID-19 don’t feel ill but we don’t want to take the risk that you could infect others around you. So you are self-isolating for the protection of others.
In practical terms this means that you should not be leaving your house for any reason You should be asking other people to do your shopping etc and leaving this on the porch for you. If you live with other people then you need to be able to live separately from the others in the same house. This means:
- Being able to have a separate bedroom and bathroom
- Always being able to be 2 metres apart from other people if you are in the same room
- Cleaning all surfaces after you have touched them
If you can’t do this then you either need to quarantine yourself somewhere else or the entire household must quarantine together. If you want more help with this please contact KEMH on 28000.
PARTIES ARE A BAD IDEA
The RFIP want to remind people that holding parties is a breach of the social distancing protocols currently advised by the Government.
Social Distancing means staying at least two metres away from others – it’s an effective way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
Inviting people to your house is a no-no, especially for parties.
Even if your practise social distancing, visitors will be touching lots of surfaces in your house and this increases the risk of spread.
CONCORDIA BAY
The Government has been listening to the requirements of the community to ensure supplies and livestock get to where they need to be in West Falkland and other islands served by the Concordia Bay.
The service has been reduced in order to ensure it can keep operating through the COVID-19 response.
However large amounts of supplies are being delivered – with a completed supply run to the SE island, and delivery of six containers, 80,000 litres of fuel and 48 bottles of gas to Fox Bay and 29,100 litres of fuel to Port Howard this week.
With the assistance and support of Workboat Services Ltd, a schedule for the next 3 weeks has been designed to facilitate customer and community requirements. If you require details, or have queries and specific requests, phone their office, or email
WSL advises its current services are:
Islands Service:
To continue as per the previously amended schedule.
No passengers.
Contact between crew and personnel ashore to be kept to a minimum.
Crew are not permitted to go ashore unless absolutely necessary
One off trips (e.g. for livestock) will be scheduled on a case by case basis, please contact the office with any requirements.
Ferry Service:
Two ferry crossings per week.
Vehicles only - No passengers
If vehicles are to be loaded/unloaded by crew then they must be at New Haven/Port Howard for at least three days before shipment.
If not then drivers are to drive their vehicles on to the ship and leave as quickly as possible, minimising contact with crew. In this case a driver must be available at the far side to collect.
Schedule:
23rd April 1200 NHN, 1400 PHD
25th April 1200 NHN, 1400 PHD
23rd and 24th April – Cargo receiving for West Islands
27th April - 3rd May West Islands (as scheduled already)
4th May 1200 NHN, 1400 PHD
7th May 1200 NHN, 1400 PHD
Advice around the Falkland Islands Government’s COVID-19 response can change. Please watch out for further statements from the Government in local media and through the FIG and Community Facebook pages, the web page www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and other channels.