18 May 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH UPDATE
The latest test results received by KEMH are all negative for COVID-19.
The batch of 24 swabs were processed in the UK as part of the hospital's regular monitoring for the virus.
So far 426 tests have been carried out in the UK but as we’re about to update you, future testing will now be able to be done in the Falkland Islands.
There have been 13 positive COVID-19 results in the Falklands but all those affected have recovered or ended their isolation period.
If you have had a swab taken from KEMH recently, its important you wait to hear directly from the hospital as to your test result and to keep following their health advice in the meantime.
TESTING IN THE FALKLANDS
The laboratory team, led by Kimberley Finlayson, have been undertaking training on the installation and use of the new PCR platform in the KEMH.
The team have carried out an intensive series of equipment and methodology verification processes over the past two weeks.
Comparison testing of samples has been completed showing that results achieved in the KEMH are equivalent to those achieved in the UK, meaning the test method has been successfully validated for use.
We are now in a position to undertake on-Island testing of symptomatic people who might be carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
The laboratory team will be able to run batches of tests with the minimum tests to be run at one time being nine and the maximum 21.
It will be possible to run more than one batch a day if there is the need, although it is unlikely that more than one run a day will be undertaken for the next week or two while further training is rolled out to all laboratory staff.
Results from swabs should be available within 24 hours in most cases.
Moving forward, having this platform up and running means that people who are symptomatic with a flu-like illness, and who have been asked to isolate, will be able to be swabbed. Once the result is known, if it is not positive for COVID-19, and once the individual has been completely well for 24 hours, they will be free to return to work/school.
This also means that household members of symptomatic individuals (who are still expected to isolate alongside their unwell family/bubble member) will be able to be released back to work/school as soon as a negative result is returned.
It is expected that the self-isolation times in these cases will be greatly reduced with the opportunity for on-Island testing.
On occasions, if a person remains symptomatic with a flu-like illness, a second swab is needed and this too can be undertaken in the KEMH lab.
In addition to this, surveillance swabbing will be undertaken across Stanley and MPC and the swabs analysed in the KEMH.
Surveillance swabbing is an important tool to try and search out the virus, particularly in those individuals who might be asymptomatic but still shedding the virus.
Initially surveillance swabbing will be targeted at healthcare workers, but will quickly be rolled out to include people who undertake work where they naturally come into contact with lots of people, e.g. teachers, shop assistants, Customs and Immigration officials etc. and eventually random sample groups will be swabbed and tested too as a matter of course.
Surveillance swabbing will be undertaken at MPC too.
FIGAS AND CONCORDIA BAY RELAXATION OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
The first operations under revised arrangements for travel on FIGAS begin tomorrow, with three flights occurring.
On Friday, it was announced there would be an easing of restrictions for the air service and the Concordia Bay.
The restrictions in March were put in place to protect the transport infrastructure and to ensure that freight and key supplies, along with medical support, could continue to be delivered by keeping staff in these critical services protected from COVID-19.
Executive Council has approved the relaxation, in line with a wider announcement by Government that was made on 1 May, but both services will operate in a way that reflects the ongoing COVID-19 risk.
Bookings will be able to be made to travel with FIGAS to all destinations, subject to the following conditions.
Passengers will need to be aware that health related questions will be asked when booking with FIGAS and Workboat Services and again prior to boarding the aircraft or ferry:
- passengers will be asked not to travel if they are experiencing cold or flu like symptoms;
- passengers will be denied travel if they have been on MPC in the last 7 days or knowingly been in contact with anyone who has, or;
- have been swabbed for COVID-19 and awaiting results, or;
- share a household with someone who has been swabbed and awaiting results to confirm
Passengers will be expected to comply with social distancing measures, and in the case of travelling with FIGAS wear face masks for the duration of their flight and sanitise their hands prior to boarding.
Face masks and hand sanitiser will be provided to travel on FIGAS. Aircraft will carry masks and sanitiser for passengers embarking at remote airstrips.
Passengers are requested to check-in with the destination land owners before booking travel.
Passenger numbers will be limited to allow social distancing as far as possible within the aircraft
FIGAS will continue to not operate flights to MPC unless in an emergency situation.
Workboat Services Ltd will also have similar conditions in place for the Concordia Bay ferry service from 20 May.
In order to reduce contact between passengers and between passengers and crew, passenger numbers will be restricted to 8 per voyage.
Passengers will only be permitted in the passenger lounge which will be sanitised and cleaned after each journey.
Crew will not enter the lounge while passengers are on board and passengers are to follow social distancing guidelines.
Passengers travelling on FIGAS and the Concordia Bay are respectfully requested to observe the conditions of travel and answer questions honestly. Failure to respect these conditions may result in travel restrictions being imposed again.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme is ‘kindness’. Good mental health is not just about ‘fixing’ problems like depression or anxiety with medication or therapy, it is also about doing what we can to stay emotionally healthy.
Showing kindness to ourselves and each other is one of the most important ways to protect our mental health.
Research has shown that as many as two thirds of people find that being kind to other people has a positive impact on their own mental health, and nearly half of people find that being kind to themselves has a positive impact on their mental health.
Research has also shown that giving and receiving kindness:
- releases feel-good hormones in your body
- helps your immune system
- reduces stress and anxiety
- gives you energy
- makes you feel happier
- slows aging
- is good for your heart!
Kindness is also highly contagious! Our brains enjoy the experience of giving, receiving or observing kindness, and it makes us want to experience more kindness, so it spreads pretty quickly.
This week, let’s see how far we can make the kindness spread. Today, aim to do something kind for someone you love. It doesn’t have to be a big, expensive gesture – pay someone a compliment, make them a cup of tea, say thank you for things they do, offer to help them do the chores…even small gestures can make the world of difference!
Of course, this comes as some of us are naturally feeling worried about COVID-19.
These feelings do not necessarily mean that you have a mental health problem, but if you are noticing that you are more anxious or distressed than usual, and this is interfering with your daily life there are people ready to listen to your concerns and provide support.
The Emotional Wellbeing service at KEMH is available to offer support in person or on the phone. You can access this by phoning the Community Psychiatric Nurses on 28082, the Clinical Psychologist on 54228, or the School Nurse/CAMHS Nurse on 28080.
The Community Volunteers led by Vicky Collier are another source of support. Contact
Finally, if you have any concerns or queries regarding financial matters, welfare or safeguarding concerns for yourself, your family or someone you know, please contact Social Services on 27296. They operate a 24-hour service and an after-office hours you can call on 28100.
LANDING DAY COMMEMORATION
Social Distancing may be in place but we are finding a way to mark key dates of commemoration.
The Landing Day service will go ahead on the 21 May but will follow a reduced format given the current situation.
Social distancing will be applied and there will be visible markers placed around the cemetery.
San Carlos Settlement is not open to public access other than to reach the Cemetery car park and there is no toilet facilities available. Unlike previous services there will be no social gathering after the event.
The Reverend Ian Faulds will carry out a service of remembrance.
While this is a public commemoration numbers need to be limited to observe social distancing.
Wreaths will be laid by the Governor, MLAs and the community.
If any of the community have wreaths they wish to be laid but cannot attend the FIDF are happy to assist and arrange on their behalf.
LIBRARY REOPENS
The Library has reopened at Falkland College today, but with measures in place to reflect the need for social distancing and good public health practices.
It will be open Monday – Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1:30pm to 5:45pm, and from 30 May, Saturday openings will recommence, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm.
Numbers in the library will be restricted to 12 at any one time and children younger than school year group Year 4 should always be accompanied by an adult.
The home delivery service for people who have been asked to remain socially isolated will continue to operate.
A library service to Camp is also offered, with the Librarian, arranging for books to be posted to settlements.
We will also allow longer loan periods to limit library visits.
To assist good public health practices, hand sanitiser will be available at entry and exit, and floor markings will show where to queue a proper distance apart.
All returned books and materials with plastic covers will be quarantined for 72 hours after their return to the library before they are handled. This is in line with guidance from Public Health England.
LEISURE CENTRE REOPENS
Stanley Leisure Centre also reopened to the public from today but similarly, with conditions in place to reflect the COVID-19 situation.
Public use will be on a restricted basis and the Centre will not allow casual use or entry.
Access will be by prior booking only and already this week is nearly booked out.
This covers all facilities including the sports hall, squash court and fitness room.
The centre is maintaining a cleaning and hygiene protocol and taking other steps to ensure social distancing and other public health precautions are observed.
OUR REGULAR INFORMATION
HEALTH
KEMH has put into effect its well-developed plans for handling COVID-19 case Patients requiring emergency treatment of any sort including respiratory, and cold like symptoms are asked to contact the hospital on 28000 and discuss their condition with a member of the clinical staff who will then advise. The Pharmacy is able to take prescription requests. But please do NOT come to the Pharmacy solely for the purpose of ordering a prescription, nor if you have COVID-19 like symptoms. Please either e-mail
FIGO SERVICES
While the Falkland Islands Government Office in London remains closed all staff are working from home to help all Islanders in the UK, Falkland Islands organisations, FIG, and anyone traveling to and from the Islands. Please do not hesitate to contact them:
For Airbridge – Please contact our Travel Co-Ordinator Teryn Joshua on either 07984 096 726 or
For Medical – Please contact our Medical Co-Ordinator Gemma Clayphan on 07399 163140 or
For Students – Please contact the Deputy Representative Michael Betts on
For all other queries regarding COVID-19 or any other issues, we can be reached via 020 7222 2542 (message will provide a range of contact information) or
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Executive Council is meeting regularly to consider the COVID-19 response and make other policy related to the COVID-19 response. MLAs are also meeting regularly to consider COVID19 related matters.
HELP US FIGHT COVID-19
What to do if you feel unwell and are worried you might have COVID-19. If you have flu-like symptoms, phone the Hospital on 28000. Staff will provide advice. DO NOT come to KEMH directly.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
The symptoms are:
- a new or worsening cough
- a high temperature (at least 38°C)
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sneezing and runny nose
- temporary loss of taste smell.
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
Please remember the importance of good public health 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.