08 July 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH TESTING
More than a thousand swabs have now been taken In the Falkland Islands for COVID-19. To date, 1393 tests have been processed, many of which have been carried out here using the KEMH’s new PCR analyser.
It has been more than 70 days since the last positive test for COVID-19 in the Falklands. There have been 13 positive COVID-19 results but all those affected have recovered or ended their isolation period.
If you have had a swab taken from KEMH recently, it is important you wait to hear directly from the hospital as to your test result and to keep following their health advice in the meantime. You can expect to be contacted within two working days.
ANTIBODY TESTING
The reagent used for antibody testing has a limited shelf life so antibody testing is only being carried out at the end of each month. When the next round of testing is available an announcement will be made asking for people to come forward and with details as to how to request a test.
GUIDANCE
Just a reminder that there is a comprehensive suite of guidance documents available on the FIG COVID website, www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/
This includes guidance for employers and businesses, and has recently been updated to include guidance for Tour Guides.
It also contains guidance for individuals, including the clarification we issued last week on why we still have advice on social distancing and bubbles. To reiterate, all the advice given is guidance only, it is not a rule and you will not be in trouble if you breach the distances or bubble concept – this is just advice for the safest way to live your life through the COVID pandemic. In the event we experience an outbreak in the Islands, this advice would be reviewed and the guidance adjusted accordingly.
THANK YOU
Clearly the events of 2020 have been unprecedented, with all of us having to adjust and make sacrifices whether as individuals, families, businesses or Government. It hasn’t been easy, and it will be sometime yet before the world reaches some kind of normality. When we look at events around the globe, it drives home just how lucky we are to live in the Falkland Islands. In the face of recent challenges, we have proved once again as a community that we are resilient, that in times of hardship we draw together and look after each other, and that we have a shared sense of social responsibility that was demonstrated by people following and continuing to follow Government guidance as we navigate through the pandemic. Everyone has played their part, and I’d like to personally thank you all.
STUDENTS IN FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
FIG are aware that parents and students are understandably concerned about arrangements for study in the UK for the new September term, and the Education Department is proactively working in partnership with FIG colleagues and UK Further Education institutions to mitigate risks to students regarding their return to study. The ending of UK quarantine restrictions for passengers arriving from the Falkland Islands is a positive development which has helped reduce some of the issues facing students going to study in the UK.
This work is ongoing, and all parents with a child in Further or Higher Education will be contacted directly by the Education Department at an appropriate time, however the work being undertaken includes:
- Creating a database of guardians for each individual student.
- Exploring where remote learning is a potential short-term way forward.
- Working with education providers to identify and minimise risks, where possible. Individual establishments have very different approaches.
- Students are being encouraged to reserve their accommodation early, as capacity may be reduced.
- Higher Education students have been advised to contact their University to clarify the level of support available.
NEW QUARANTINE REGULATIONS
The Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus, Quarantine) Regulations 2020 came into force on Monday 6 July 2020.
Covid-19 or coronavirus is an infectious and contagious disease which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus has never been encountered before and there is currently no vaccine. The virus has rapidly spread across the globe and the World Health Organization has identified the coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern and characterised it as a pandemic.
The Falkland Islands has so far been successful in limiting the spread of coronavirus infection but it remains important to have in place measures that reduce the risk of coronavirus being inadvertently transmitted by those entering the Falkland Islands from overseas. It is necessary to require people entering the Falkland Islands to quarantine for a period of time to ensure that the risk of inadvertently spreading infection is kept as low as possible.
The Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus, Quarantine) Regulations 2020 (“the Regulations”) set out the requirement to quarantine for all those arriving into the Falkland Islands, whether by sea or air. A copy of the Regulations can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.fk/
Under the Regulations each person entering the Falkland Islands must provide information about their journey, including the address at which they will be staying in the Falkland Islands, to enable public health officials to contact them if necessary.
Anyone entering the Falkland Islands must stay in quarantine for a period 14 days after they arrive. This requirement applies regardless of whether the person is returning home to the Falkland Islands, or is visiting for work or pleasure.
Managing the risk of the inadvertent spreading of infection by people entering the Falkland Islands is important. It is also important, however, to ensure that the Falkland Islands maintains essential services and the economy. The Regulations therefore provide for a number of limited exemptions from the requirement to quarantine. These exemptions strike a careful balance between managing the risk of infection and the need to maintain key services.
The most significant exemption is for military personnel who have been in quarantine in the United Kingdom for a period of 14 days before their arrival at Mount Pleasant. The defence of the Falkland Islands is a key service and this exception ensures that military personnel can assume their duties immediately after they arrive.
The Government has the power to add to the list of exceptions, having consulted the Chief Medical Officer. This power can be used only where there is a low risk that the category of people in question will spread the virus to others. An example of a low risk category is people arriving from a place where there have been no recorded cases of coronavirus infection.
The requirement to quarantine can be enforced by a police officer and contravention of the requirement is a criminal offence for which a person can be fined up to £2000, or imprisoned for up to 3 months, or both.
It is recognised that the requirement to quarantine places a significant restriction on a person’s personal liberty. For this reason, the Regulations contain safeguards and protections, including a right for a person to appeal to a court for the quarantine requirement to be varied or lifted if the requirement is not necessary or proportionate in the particular circumstances of their case.
The public health need for the requirement to quarantine will be reviewed every 6 weeks, to ensure that the requirement is not in place for any longer than reasonably necessary.
The following associated documents are available on the Falkland Island Government Covid webpage https://www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/information/quarantine-requirements
- Form IDC 5 – passenger information to be completed by all arriving in the Islands Form
- IDC 6 – notice to be given to all those who must quarantine (or partially quarantine) on arrival
- The Attorney-General’s Guidance on the Regulations. This is intended for use by staff implementing the Regulations as well as passengers who are subject to them.
- CMO’s FAQ – this is intended to provide further guidance to passengers on how to comply with the Regulations
The public are reminded that the advice on social distancing and bubbles is not enforceable and is voluntary. Quarantine on arrival is mandatory and is enforceable.
OUR REGULAR INFORMATION
HEALTH
KEMH has put into effect its well-developed plans for handling COVID-19 cases.
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 at KEMH is open Monday to Friday: 9.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm and closed, Saturday and Sunday.
The repeat prescription request box is back in the KEMH reception.
However, you are still welcome to order your repeat prescription in the following ways as well:
E-mail:
Tel: 28011 for prescription ordering answerphone
Please allow 2 working days between ordering and collecting repeat prescriptions
For general enquiries please ring 28010
YOUR WELLBEING
It’s perfectly understandable if you are feeling stressed because of the impact of COVID-19.
So, it’s important to know there are people to talk to.
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.
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.
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
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:
- a new or worsening cough
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sneezing and runny nose
- temporary loss of taste and/or 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.