COVID-19

COVID-19 Public Update – 5 April 2020

Second COVID-19 case

"Following the receipt of test results from the UK on Friday 3 April which confirmed a case of COVID-19 who was a patient in isolation at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Stanley, further test results were received on Saturday 4 April which identified a second positive case. 

This individual is at the Mount Pleasant Complex and has been resident there for some time. More recently the individual has been in isolation there as part of the ongoing arrangements for dealing with possible cases.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Rebecca Edwards has liaised with officials at BFSAI to ensure all necessary isolation precautions remain in place. The confirmed case in the hospital who is not on a ventilator remains in isolation and is in a stable condition. 

Dr Edwards stated that there is no requirement to change existing guidance to the public, and advised that the published advice on hand washing, self-isolation and social distancing should continue to be adhered to and she thanked members of the public for their cooperation"

As of yesterday, 137 samples have been taken and we have received 116 results.  114 have been negative and 2 have been positive. 1 was not tested as it was from one of the patients that we already had a positive result for. The remaining 20 are in transit to the UK on the South Atlantic Airbridge.

COVID-19 Public Update – 3 April 2020

KEY POINTS

First case of COVID-19 announced:

87 negative results have been received from the UK but unfortunately today, we have received one positive test.

An inpatient in the hospital who is in isolation has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The patient was admitted from the Mount Pleasant Complex on 31 March as they became unwell and medical staff observed a range of COVID-19 like symptoms.

They have been cared for with all necessary isolation precautions and continues to be so.

The patient, who is not on a ventilator, is in a stable condition and being carefully looked after by the hospital staff.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Rebecca Edwards said: "We knew the day would come when we would have our first confirmed case, and in some respects we are fortunate that we have been COVID-19 free until now, as we have taken this time to plan our approach within the hospital and also from a wider perspective.”

“We have reorganised the hospital and staffing arrangements, and put our supplies and pharmaceuticals in place, which many countries were not in a position to do before they identified their first cases.”

“Members of the public will be concerned about this development; however, the KEMH has been undertaking strict isolation procedures for patients with infection to ensure that any risk of cross infection, from patients to staff, or patient to patient is negligible. We are working with BFSAI on tracing people who may have come into contact with the individual; this is an effective way to identify people who may have been in contact, so suitable next steps can be taken.” 

Dr Edwards thanked members of the community for how well they had responded to the Government’s wider COVID-19 response.

“I ask that they continue with existing arrangements for working from home, if you have been advised to do so, self-isolation when advised to do so by KEMH staff and carry on with regular hand washing and social distancing.in line with all the guidance that has been continuously provided.”

Of another 129 samples taken to date,  87 negative results have been received from the UK along with one positive result.    

Results for the 41 other samples are awaited.

Samples will continue to be taken and sent to the UK on the regular Airbridge flights.

Search for missing crew member:

A crew member has been reported overboard from the jigger Sky Max 101.

The incident was reported at 10 minutes past midnight this morning to South Korean authorities in the first instance. The vessel was operating approximately 122 nautical miles north of Stanley.

The FIG Department of Natural Resources was alerted at 10.20am. It has requested vessels nearby to assist with the search.

The Fishery Protection Vessel Protegat was immediately deployed to the area, with an ETA of midnight tonight.

Protegat will search for 24 to 48 hours.

New arrivals must self-isolate:

The  Airbridge due to arrive this evening at MPA at 2120hrs is carrying a number of returning students and other passengers.

For ALL travellers arriving it is vitally important to isolate yourselves for 14 days.

This is essential for our community that you do this and we are grateful to those passengers who arrived in the islands on Friday 27 March, who have already been in isolation for one week. 

Should passengers not isolate themselves for 14 days after arriving in the islands we would have to consider enforcing stricter regulations.

Please also note that any household where an arriving person or persons is staying must ensure that the new arrival self-isolates for 14 days. If the new arrival is not able to isolate from other members of the household, the whole household MUST self-isolate for 14 days.

Bus transport arrangements have been put in place by the Falkland Islands Government for ALL returning residents.

Those who have pre-arranged Approved Transport will travel with their original provider. All others will travel on additional Approved Transport and be brought from MPA to Stanley.

Family and friends should not travel to MPA to collect any passengers arriving on this flight unless you are travelling directly to Camp.

The Education Department has been contacting parents of any arriving students to discuss their arrangements. If you have not been contacted, please phone the department on 27289.

The Department has been liaising closely with parents around the self-isolation requirements and will continuing contact with families should they have issues, such as accommodation, that need support.

Airbridge Northbound:

British Forces South Atlantic Islands advises that the next Northbound flight TOW2233 is scheduled to leave MPA on Sunday 5 April 2020 at 0330hrs local.

Check-in times for TOW2233 are as follows:

4 Apr Phase 1: 1900 - 2000 hrs local

Phase 2: 2300 - 2359 hrs local

Board Through: 2300 - 2359 hrs local

ETA - RAF Brize Norton: Monday 6 Apr 20 at 0150 hrs (UK local).

Airbridge schedule in April:

The FIGO office in London is delighted to announce, that until further notice, there will be a new fortnightly rotation for civilian passenger Southbound flights.  The rotation is as follows:

SAA1: FIG passengers (3 April)

SAA2: Freight (7 April)

SAA3: BFSAI paseengers (10 April)

SAA4: Freight (14 April)

Therefore, the next Southbound civilian passenger flight will be 17 April.

Northbound civilian passengers can be booked on each Northbound flight as normal, but please note that numbers will be restricted and journeys should only be made if they are essential.

LATAM flights update:

The Santiago flight route has been suspended until 2nd May, 2020.

The Sao Paolo flight route it is suspended until 23rd April, and the situation will be reviewed nearer the time as to a possible extension of that suspension.

Support Package applications open:

Applications can now be made for the Falkland Islands Government’s support package that was announced on 25 March 2020 for private sector employers with employees, as well as the self-employed who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government is doing this to reinforce and support the strong public health action which the Falkland Islands Government is taking to protect the population and minimise the social and economic impact of this challenging issue.

How to apply --

Application forms along with other guidance are available through:

Falkland Islands Government -

www.Fig.gov.fk/covid-19

Falkland Islands Development Corporation

http://www.fidc.co.fk/library/covid-19

If you need assistance filling out the forms, contact Sian Davies, Business Development Officer, at FIDC telephone 51211.

EDUCATION

ndertaken by Mr Mike Gershon, who last visited the schools and carried out a review in March 2019. 

The report is clear that both of the schools now offer a very good standard of education for their students.  In the primary school the quality of educational provision remains excellent.  The report highlights the rapid, positive progress that the secondary school has made in the last 12 months with by securing better teaching; raising aspirations for students and staff, and developing focused leadership and management at all levels.

On 3 April 2020 the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) published the details of how they intend to award GCSE grades. Their advice applies to the Science, Mathematics, Spanish, History, Food and Nutrition, Technology and Textiles courses taught at FICS. iGCSES (Geography, Music, PE and Computing) and  the Health and Social Care are being dealt with separately, and the Education Department expect to receive guidance on this process in due course.

Over the next couple of months, FICS staff will be determining and submitting a teacher assessed grade for each of the subjects that our students were due to complete this year. This will involve looking at all that we know about our students in order to reach a fair and very carefully considered judgement. The objective professional judgement will involve a thorough scrutiny of the full range of evidence we have, which has been gathered over the two years of a course. For any students with access arrangements, these will be taken into consideration as part of the process. Teachers will not do this is isolation and the process will be moderated at each stage.

Once the grades have been submitted to the awarding bodies, they will undergo a process of statistical moderation to ensure that awarding is consistent across all centres. The current intention is that examination boards will issue final results slightly earlier in the year than is usual, but there is no final date for this at present.

Join our Volunteers:

Nearly 40 people have signed up for the Community Volunteers programme. The Co-ordinator is Vicky Collier. If you want to help,  are in self-isolation or know someone who is that may need support contact Vicky on volunteers@sec.gov.fk or 27451.

You can see further details of how to help lower down in this Update.

• 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 fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and other channels.

COVID-19 Public Update – 2 April 2020

KEY POINTS

KEMH update: 

The Falkland Islands continues to have no confirmed COVID-19 tests.

124 samples have been taken to date, and results received so far for 86 of these from the UK. They are all negative for COVID-19.

Samples will continue to be taken and sent to the UK on the regular Airbridge flights.

A young girl who had required ventilator support is recovering. She is no longer on a ventilator but continues to receive care in the hospital.  Her test was negative for COVID-19, and showed that she had a serious but different viral respiratory condition.  

She is no longer in the isolation section of the hospital.

There are two patients currently at KEMH who were earlier transferred from MPA for care and observation.

Neither are receiving ventilation care but are in the isolation section of the hospital as a precaution.

Samples have been taken from both patients for UK testing.

Application process being outlined:

The Falkland Islands Government is today releasing details of how people can apply for

the Falkland Islands Government’s initial support package for private sector employees, private sector employers and the self-employed affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We are doing this to reinforce and support the public health action which the Falkland Islands Government is taking to protect the population and minimise social and economic impact of this challenging issue.

The measures are part of a wider package of support for the Falklands Islands community and economy.

On Friday 3 April 2020 the Director of Policy and Economic Development, Andrew Gaule will provide a radio update on the Governments recently announced support package for the private sector employees and the self-employed.

Supplies to the island:

MV Scout voyage 429 is in and unloading at FIPASS.

Cargo for the next Scout voyage 431 is already en route south to Uruguay, with the voyage due to arrive in Stanley in late April as per the published schedule.

SAAS have also advised that customer cargo is already booked for the following voyage 433 (arriving Stanley in late May) and voyage 435 (arriving Stanley in late June).

There are no anticipated difficulties at present with any part of the sea freight logistics that feed the scheduled Scout service.

Although some items are currently unavailable locally due to unusual purchasing patterns, the majority of stock is at normal levels, which for most major suppliers is sufficient to fulfil 1 to 3 months expected sales.

FIG will continue to work closely with the business sector and our logistics partners to ensure our supply links remain strong.

Concordia Bay:

Workboat Services Ltd's prime aim is to maintain the critical supply line to outer islands and West Falkland; in order to achieve this, it is vital to protect the crew of the Concordia Bay from illness.

With that aim, the schedule for April has been cancelled and a new schedule to resupply West Falkland and the Islands has been released.

These delivery voyages are for vital supplies, e.g. food, fuel, general consumables after which vehicles, building materials and other general cargo will be accommodated if there is capacity. 

However if you have a specified urgent requirement please contact Workboat Services and they will try to assist if possible. It is vital to enable efficient use of the Concordia Bay that users of the Concordia Bay contact Workboat Services well in advance. Their email is admin@workboat.co.fk

The SE Islands delivery for all SE islands, Fox Bay and Port Howard will now take place as follows

Cargo Receiving: 8 and 9 April

Deliveries: 13 – 19 April.

(Please note that cargo will be accepted for Port Howard on this voyage)

The next West Islands delivery for all the Western islands will take place as follows

Cargo receiving: 23 and 24 April

Deliveries: 27 April – 3 May.

Please note that these dates may well change as circumstances change.

Repatriation advisory:

People may have noticed that the UK Government has been arranging repatriation flights for stranded British Nationals (UK tourists and business travellers) unable to return because of disruption to air routes.

The Falkland Islands Government would like to clarify that these flights are not for repatriating British Nationals who are in effect ‘resident’ or working in the Falkland Islands.

As people are aware, the LATAM commercial air routes have ceased for a month, but the Military Airbridge flights are still operating, flying twice a week back to the UK.

Anyone,  from any country who is currently in the Islands who needs to discuss their personal situation further should talk to their employer either in the private sector, or if employed by Government, contact their manager.

The Government recognises this is a stressful time for all, particularly those with family in other countries.

Airbridge advisory from British Forces South  Atlantic Islands:

The inbound flight TOW2232 is scheduled to arrive at MPC on Friday 3 April at 2120 hrs local.

The Northbound flight TOW2233 is scheduled to leave MPC on Sunday 5 Apr 20 at 0330hrs local.

Check-in times for TOW2233 are as follows:

4 Apr Phase 1: 1900 - 2000 hrs local

Phase 2: 2300 - 2359 hrs local

Board Through: 2300 - 2359 hrs local

ETA - RAF Brize Norton: Monday 6 Apr 20 at 0150 hrs (UK local).

Enhanced Social distancing is enforced. Only report to the Air Terminal if you have been informed that you are travelling on this rotation. Due to limited payload, passengers will not be able to take excess baggage over their entitlement on their booking.

FIGO update:

On the advice of the UK Prime Minister, the Falkland Islands Government Office in London is closed and all staff are working from home.  Despite this we are working as normal and remain available 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, they are there to help.

If as a result of COVID-19 you are in need of additional help, whether that be financially or with practical things like shopping, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help in any way we can, whether that is putting you in contact with help locally or signposting you to another source of help.

Points of Contact

Airbridge – Please contact our Travel Co-Ordinator Teryn Joshua on either 07984 096 726 or travel@falklands.gov.fk.

Medical – Please contact our Medical Co-Ordinator Gemma Clayphan on either 07903 379 006 or reception@falklands.gov.fk.

Students – Please contact the Deputy Representative Michael Betts on deputyrep@falklands.gov.fk.

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 due to office being forced to close until further notice) or reception@falklands.gov.fk.

• 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 fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and other channels.

GET COVID-19 SMART

It is highly important that COVID-19 advice is followed.

This is especially so for anyone in the community who is advised to self-isolate. This is a very tangible and effective way you can play your part and keep yourself and our community safe.

Our guidance on social distancing is also very important to follow. It helps reduce the chance of COVID-19 being passed from person to person. There are information sheets available on fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and watch out for our Facebook handy messages.

CURRENT GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL WORK CATEGORIES

We are currently advising everyone to reduce all non-essential activities until further notice; everyone should stay at home where they can, and work from home where possible.

Essential activities, at this stage, include critical and key work, where this cannot be done from home.

Essential work categories are available on our fig.gov.fk/covid-19 website under the 26 March update.

If you are unclear about where your function or activities sit please contact the Secretariat on 28450.

COVID-19 Public Update – 1 April 2020

KEMH update:

Members of the public will be aware that we have had a young child as an inpatient in the hospital on a ventilator with Covid-19 type symptoms. We are pleased to report that we have now received test results back from the UK and she does not have Covid-19 which is welcome news.

She has been diagnosed with a different but serious viral respiratory infection for which she has been receiving treatment. We can report that as of this morning she has come off the ventilator and is breathing of her own accord which again is good news, although she remains seriously unwell.

Yesterday we received test results for 29 specimens sent to the UK – all of which were negative.

We await results on a further 30 specimens which we are hoping will be available later today.

Further specimens will be returning on the next Airbridge scheduled to leave for UK.

A patient was admitted with COVID-19 like respiratory problems from MPA yesterday following a chest x-ray and is being looked after as a precautionary measure in the isolation area of the hospital. The patient is not being ventilated. Specimens have been taken and will be sent back to the UK for testing.

KEMH can also confirm that a fisherman was flown out by medevac to Chile yesterday with a severe hand injury which requires highly specialist complex surgery.

Keeping our sea links strong:

The Falkland Islands Government can confirm that the normal shipping services supplying goods to the Falkland Islands remain in place and understands that major suppliers are expecting new stock to arrive in April as planned.

Further orders also expected to arrive on future scheduled shipping dates. Although some items are currently unavailable locally due to unusual purchasing patterns, the majority of stock is at normal levels, which for most major suppliers is sufficient to fulfil 1 to 3 months expected sales.

Local suppliers already operate at the end of a long supply chain and are experienced in forecasting demand and managing stock levels several months in advance.

FIG will continue to work closely with the business sector and our logistics partners to ensure our supply links remain strong.

Business support:

FIG recognizes that the current set of measures in relation to private sector workers and the self-employed are time limited and mostly targeted at providing income for those who are sick, quarantined or asked to stay home under certain circumstances.

FIG is currently working on a further package of measures to assist the private sector both generally and in terms of the effects on specific sectors.

We hope to be in a position to make an announcement within the next few days that will address general issues affecting the private sector with sector specific responses following at a later date.

Working with the Chamber of Commerce, FIG has now surveyed the business community about how the situation is affecting them, and this is proving useful in developing appropriate policy responses. 

On Thursday the Government will set out and publish how claims to the Government for eligible wage costs can be submitted by businesses and the self-employed.

Airbridge:

The next Airbridge is due to arrive in the islands on the evening of Friday 3 April and depart early hours of the morning on Sunday 5 April. 

The Falkland Islands Government will continue to work with the MoD to ensure that key essential passengers including medical staff are able to still travel over this period.

Please see below under AIRBRIDGE for further longer-term information about future Airbridge operations.

Volunteers are signing up:

The new Community Volunteers programme is attracting strong support. Co-ordinator Vicky Collier says 26 people contacted the team on just its first day yesterday.

You can see further details of how to help lower down in this Update. 

• 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 fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and other channels.

GET COVID-19 SMART

It is highly important that COVID-19 advice is followed.

This is especially so for anyone in the community who is advised to self-isolate. This is a very tangible and effective way you can play your part and keep yourself and our community safe.

Our guidance on social distancing is also very important to follow. It helps reduce the chance of COVID-19 being passed from person to person. There are information sheets available on fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and watch out for our Facebook handy messages.

CURRENT GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL WORK CATEGORIES

We are currently advising everyone to reduce all non-essential activities until further notice; everyone should stay at home where they can, and work from home where possible.

Essential activities, at this stage, include critical and key work, where this cannot be done from home.

Essential work categories are available on our fig.gov.fk/covid-19 website under the 26 March update.

If you are unclear about where your function or activities sit please contact the Secretariat on 28450.

COVID-19 Public Update – 31 March 2020

KEY POINTS

KEMH capability:
King Edward Memorial Hospital is well positioned to provide care should there be COVID-19 cases requiring a serious level of care.

Director of Health and Social Services David O’Neill said the 29-bed hospital has been reconfigured to handle potential cases, while also preserving space for other patients.

A number of KEMH’s beds will be purposed for care of the more seriously ill. KEMH has plans to manage up to seven ventilated patients if the need arises. As well, the hospital has a number of other devices that assist breathing, but which are non-invasive.

In light of the worldwide Covid-19 situation, a range of enhancements have been put in place, including the recruitment of extra anaesthetic and surgical staff, and other medical staff. There are currently 10 senior medical staff to lead the care.

The hospital continues to augment its stocks of drugs and medical supplies through air arrivals, and test samples are being sent for processing in the United Kingdom.

In addition to KEMH’s pre-existing local capacity, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has deployed a team of six staff to supplement and be embedded the FIG medical team and under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer.

Test results:
KEMH is awaiting further test results from the UK and these are expected by tomorrow. The hospital has so far received 28 test results back from the UK which are all negative for COVID-19.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rebecca Edwards, said the results were good news, although test results are not 100 per cent accurate. That meant the government response would continue to be based on the assumption that it is still likely there is COVID-19 on the Islands.
Care continues for a child who remains in the King Edward Memorial Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Airbridge Update:
With the resumption of South Atlantic Airbridge it is currently expected that the schedule will be two flights per week, with the focus on essential freight whilst both the MoD and FIG ensure that vital supplies are in place.
The Southbound flights will not be available for routine passenger transport for up to four weeks. There will, however, be an increased allowance of seating on the next Southbound flight for FIG passengers.
We will look to take advantage of this opportunity to get as many people south as we can. There will be no immediate restriction on the numbers of Northbound passengers.
The Falkland Islands Government will continue to work with the MoD to ensure that key essential passengers including medical staff are able to still travel over this period.
FIGO are in contact with all passengers and are working closely with FIG, BFSAI to provide advice. If you have an existing booking for April and May, you will be contacted shortly. Please wait to be contacted.

British Antarctic Survey:
With its research season coming to a close, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will now be repatriating around 150 staff over the next two months through the Falkland Islands and onto the UK.

To reassure the community, there have been no COVID-19 cases in Antarctica and staff are coming from an effectively quarantined area. BAS is ensuring there will be no impact on the community and are in negotiations with the Cruise Ship, Hebridean Sky to accommodate their teams before they return to the UK.

Volunteering:
The Falkland Islands Government are looking for members of the public to join the Community Volunteers. Volunteers will work with those in our community who are currently self-isolating. Read below for more details on how to help.
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 fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and other channels.

New stage in Government COVID-19 response - 26 March 2020

The King Edward Memorial Hospital is currently dealing with a critically ill child, who is suspected to have COVID-19.  Until this is confirmed by test, this remains a matter of clinical judgment.

As a result of this, the Falkland Islands Government is moving its response to the next stage, in accordance with our Infectious Disease Plan and other preparations.  Our thoughts go out to the child, the child’s family and friends.

We still do not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Falkland Islands, until test results are received from the UK.  We hope to be able to test within the Islands soon but cannot currently do so.

From tomorrow we are closing all schools until at least the start of the new term on 4 May 2020.  We are also instructing all nurseries to close for the same period.

From Monday, the Education Department will be open to provide childcare for the children of essential key workers.  The Education Department will be contacting parents directly who fall into this category.  If you have not been contacted, please do not try to bring your child to school.

All children’s play parks will be closed until further notice.

If you have been asked by King Edward Memorial Hospital to self-isolate because you have cold/flu symptoms AND you have developed a fever (a high temperature), your whole household – all those living with you, must self-isolate for 14 days.

Anyone whose family member arrives by plane into the Falkland Islands must ensure that their family member self-isolates for 14 days.  If they are not able to isolate from other members of the household, the whole household must self-isolate.

We are now advising everyone to reduce all non-essential activities until further notice; everyone should stay at home where they can, and work from home where possible. 

Please follow our guidance on social distancing.  Essential activities, at this stage, include critical and key work, where this cannot be done from home.  Essential work categories are listed below.

These actions are ESSENTIAL to protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable, and ensure that the demand on the health service is limited.

The situation will be kept under constant review.  It could change, and, when test results are known, we may step up, or scale back some restrictions.  We hope to have the next set of test results back over the next few days.

Advice and guidance is available on our website, fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and from the King Edward Memorial Hospital.

Critical / Key Services:

Health and social care - including:

• Doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers and any other frontline health and social care staff who need to remain at work
• Support and specialist staff required to maintain the sector
  
   Key public services - including: 

• Those essential to the running of the justice system
• Those responsible for the management of the deceased
• Media and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting and the Government Communications team
  
  Government - administrative occupations essential to delivering:

• The response to coronavirus
• Key regulatory services
• Essential public services, including the payment of benefits, and key treasury functions
  
  Food and other necessary goods - including:
  
  Those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery
  
  Public safety and national security - including:

• Police and required support staff
• Fire and rescue service employees
• Those maintaining border security
• Prison and probation staff
  
  Transport - including:

• Those who'll keep FIGAS and ferry passenger and freight and passenger transport supporting the response
• Shipping links including SAAS
• Port operators
  
  Utilities, communication and financial services - including:
  
  Staff needed for:

• Essential financial services provision
• Electricity and water sectors, including sewerage
• Fuel supply
• Information technology and data infrastructure sector 
  
  Key staff working in the following sectors:
  
  

• Telecommunications
• Emergency repair workers
• Accommodation providers
• Postal services
• Agricultural workers 

Note. If you are unclear about where your function or activities sit please contact the Secretariat on 28450

Infectious Diseases Control Regulations - 24 March 2020

• The Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 were published in the Gazette yesterday, 23 March, and came into force.

• The Regulations do not become operational until the Governor makes a declaration of a serious and imminent threat to public Health in the Falkland Islands.  [The Governor has now made such a declaration concerning COVID-19; on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer.]

• The Regulations also require the Governor to make a declaration of what constitutes an “infected area” under the Regulations.  [The Governor has now made such a declaration; concerning countries, territories and areas classified by the World Health Organisation as having local transmission of COVID-19].

• These declarations have an enabling effect only (they do not result in any automatic change).  They allow the Regulations to be used by medical officers as a tool; if necessary and proportionate.  The Regulations also contain powers of enforcement.  However, it is emphasised that efforts will be made to achieve necessary public health protections on the basis of guidance and voluntary practice in the first instance.

The regulations can be viewed at:

https://legislation.gov.fk/view/html/inforce/2020-03-24/fisl-2020-6

     

Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 - Summary
Created: 2020-03-26 | Size: 153.06 KB

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AGG22 - The Attorney General's Guidance on the Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020
Created: 2020-03-26 | Size: 304.58 KB

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Declaration
Created: 2020-03-31 | Size: 23.73 KB

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Summary – Next stage in COVID-19 Response - 20 March 2020

The Falkland Islands Government has today (Friday, March 20) moved to the next stage of its response to the global COVID-19 situation.

While there are still no confirmed cases on the Islands, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rebecca Edwards, says it is now likely COVID-19 is present here.

Dr Edwards said that it would be ideal to confirm positive cases through laboratory testing. 

“However, the time to get results back from the UK, compounded by air-link disruptions, means that we feel it is important to take a cautious approach, with steps that will maximise the effect of our actions. 

“In light of this, and that we have a number of people already self-isolating at our instruction, together with small clusters of cases developing, we consider it likely that some of these cases may be COVID-19. It is prudent that we now act on this likelihood.”

 “It is very important that none of us over-react. We need to follow sound health practices to keep ourselves safe. Our health services have been preparing for this stage and we are putting those steps into action.” 

We are now asking everyone to take the following steps:

1. Vulnerable people must prepare to self-isolate as soon as possible, and no later than the middle of next week, and for the foreseeable future until advised otherwise.
2. Everyone needs to implement social distancing now, reducing any non-essential social contacts.
3. Anyone now arriving in the Islands must self-isolate for 14 days.
4. Think about your travel within the Islands – specifically, those living on West Falkland and outer Islands. People will need to make choices about where they wish to live during this difficult time. If you have issues regarding housing, FIG will work with you to help identify solutions.  

We are asking you to do this, to protect the vulnerable and prevent them from becoming ill and to slow the spread of infection within the whole community.

During the next week and following weeks, we will be implementing further actions and advice. We will be updating the public as these are put into effect.

These will include:

1. Restrictions on all non-essential travel both internationally and locally.
2. Possible changes in attendance to schools and nurseries, which will be implemented gradually in the next few weeks.
3. Revised arrangements on the use of FIGAS and Concordia Bay.
4. Changes to the delivery of health services.  This includes changes to the way KEMH will operate. We will also introduce increased medical visits to Camp.
5. Contacting those vulnerable people we know of and providing further advice.
6. A range of measures to support the Falkland Islands economy, including businesses and staff, are being developed and will be announced in due course.

Vulnerable people definition

Vulnerable people are people aged over 70, and/or with diabetes, people with heart disease, people with lung disease, people with decreased immune systems, and pregnant women. If you are unsure if you fall into these categories, please call KEMH on 28000.

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 cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath
• aches and pains in muscles and joints

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.

• Elsewhere on this page you can read guidance on self-isolation (see a 10-tips sheet in our downloads below) and social distancing. Printed material will be distributed at the Post Office and available at other points such as local businesses over coming days.

What is social distancing and why is it important - 20 March 2020

Social distancing includes ways to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. It means less contact between you and other people.

Social distancing is important because COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:

• direct close contact with a person while they are infectious or in the 24 hours before their symptoms appeared
• close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes, or
• touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

So, the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.

Please see below documents for more information.

     

Social Distancing
Created: 2020-03-20 | Size: 128.77 KB

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Self-isolation - 10 tips
Created: 2020-03-05 | Size: 324.72 KB

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NEW TRAVEL ADVISORY - 17 March 2020

The Falkland Islands Government has announced a new air travel advisory, and outlined the terms on which it may assist cruise ships seeking to repatriate passengers.

The COVID-19 virus continues to spread rapidly around the world, and restrictions on air travel are being introduced by many countries.

The Falkland Islands Government air travel advisory is:

 All passengers arriving into the Falkland Islands by air are expected to isolate themselves for a period of 14 days if they develop symptoms after arrival which brings them within the following description of a suspect case, and to call KEMH on 28000 for advice.

A suspect case is:

A person with a fever AND one or more of the following symptoms

• Cough
• Shortness of breath

AND no other explanation that fully explains this.

It is the very strong recommendation of the Government that in light of the growing international border restrictions, foreign nationals seeking to leave the Falkland Islands do so on today's (March 18) LATAM flight.  

The Falkland Islands continues to follow the World Health Organization guidance that to close borders would be ineffective, and in fact hamper needed assistance, such as medical support.

Cruise vessels will only be permitted to call into the Falkland Islands if:

• All those on board have been on board for a minimum of [10] days, and
• No-one on board is suffering from symptoms consistent with them being a “suspect case” for Covid-19, according to the WHO definition.

Cruise vessels will be permitted to disembark passengers only for the purposes of allowing those passengers to return home in accordance with arrangements agreed between the Operator and the Falkland Islands Government, for example by direct charter flight.

In relation to other vessels – calls into the Falkland Islands of other vessels (such as cargo vessels and fishing vessels, and passenger vessels with no passengers on board) will be permitted, provided no-one on board is a “suspect case” as the WHO defines that term. 

Disembarkation will only be allowed in very limited and specified circumstances.

The vessel and harbour staff should seek to maximise social distancing and follow public health advice.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY UPDATE

Decisions around the Falkland Islands Government’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic are under extensive discussion by the Legislative Assembly.   

The Members of the Assembly, his Excellency the Governor, and senior Falkland Islands Government officials have held talks on Tuesday, March 17, ahead of policy decisions later this week by Executive Council.

The Falkland Islands does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, but it is expected the virus will eventually arrive in the islands.

The meeting actioned a new air travel and cruise ship advisory (SEE ABOVE).

Other areas of policy discussed have included:

• Further preparations by the health service to handle cases.
• Medevacs and overseas medical treatment.
• Welfare measures to support those people who might find it challenging to cease work because of self-isolation requirements.
• Planning for care of remote populations.
• Falkland Island Government policy around such issues as sick leave, and annual leave.
• Steps to work with business around issues they will face from COVID-19.

Executive Council is meeting more often to speed decision-making and will consider policy on these and other areas.  Decisions will be made public as they are finalised.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES PLAN PUBLIC - 16 March 2020

The Government has made public the Falkland Islands Infectious Diseases Plan, which sets out how it will respond to a serious disease outbreak.

The Government is preparing for the eventual arrival of the COVID-19 virus here, given its rapid spread globally.

The Government has developed, and Executive Council has approved the Plan which can be viewed at https://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/public-papers/executive-council-papers/send/423-04-march-2020/2632-35-20p-falkland-islands-government-infectious-disease-plan

Symptoms of COVID-19

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• a cough
• a sore throat
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath
• aches and pains in muscles and joints

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.

What preparations have been made for COVID-19 in the Falkland Islands?

The Falkland Islands is able to respond should a case of coronavirus be suspected.

The Government has been reviewing and updating its infectious diseases planning.

KEMH Hospital has an isolation facility and is capable of treating patients with severe complications from COVID-19.

The hospital also has plans in place for isolating a larger area should it have admissions of any sort requiring such facilities, along with all the necessary clothing, and control of infection procedures.

How COVID-19 is spread

Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how COVID-19 spreads from person to person.

Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.

It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. It is thought that viruses like COVID-19 can live outside the body for up to 72 hours.

How can I avoid catching COVID-19?

There are things you can do to help stop viruses like COVID-19 spreading.

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately
• wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

What should I do if I feel unwell?

Staff at KEMH will assess if you need medical help and advise you what to do. Do NOT go to the hospital but ring 28000 first if:

• you think you might have COVID-19
• you've recently been to a country or area with a high risk of COVID-19 (see Travel Advice further below)
• you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19

What is the advice on those returning to or travelling to the Falklands?

Updated March 17, 2020

All passengers arriving into the Falkland Islands by air are expected to isolate themselves for a period of 14 days if they develop symptoms after arrival which brings them within the following description of a suspect case, and to call KEMH on 28000 for advice.

A suspect case is:

A person with a fever AND one or more of the following symptoms

• Cough
• Shortness of breath

AND no other explanation that fully explains this.

The Falkland Islands continues to follow the World Health Organization guidance that to close borders would be ineffective, and in fact hamper needed assistance, such as medical support.

Cruise vessels will only be permitted to call into the Falkland Islands if:

• All those on board have been on board for a minimum of [10] days, and
• No-one on board is suffering from symptoms consistent with them being a “suspect case” for Covid-19, according to the WHO definition.

Cruise vessels will be permitted to disembark passengers only for the purposes of allowing those passengers to return home in accordance with arrangements agreed between the Operator and the Falkland Islands Government, for example by direct charter flight.

In relation to other vessels – calls into the Falkland Islands of other vessels (such as cargo vessels and fishing vessels, and passenger vessels with no passengers on board) will be permitted, provided no-one on board is a “suspect case” as the WHO defines that term. 

Disembarkation will only be allowed in very limited and specified circumstances.

The vessel and harbour staff should seek to maximise social distancing and follow public health advice.

This travel advice is subject to change.

What steps will be taken if there is a suspected COVID-19 case in the Falkland Islands?

Once health authorities are aware of a possible case, or cases, there is a clear process that would be followed.

If it is thought possible or probable that the person or persons may have been exposed to COVID-19, testing would be carried out, while the person or persons would be asked to self-isolate.

At this stage, test results can only be processed in the UK, and thus results may take a week or longer to receive.

Those who may have been in close contact with the person or persons in question would be contacted and provided with advice by health authorities. It is possible they would be asked to self isolate, even if they are feeling well.

Self-isolation and contact tracing are well-established international practices used to impede the spread of an infectious disease.

Why can't we test in the Falklands?

COVID-19 can currently only be verified through testing at a specialist laboratory. New testing platforms are being developed internationally that would allow us to test here at KEMH, as we do currently for three common forms of influenza.

However this is still considered to be months away from being available globally.

The Falkland Islands has a very strong relationship with the NHS in the UK and is able to access world class lab facilities. Samples are routinely sent to the UK all year round by KEMH when local testing cannot identify the cause of a health problem. 

What is self-isolation?

If there's a chance you could have COVID-19, you may be asked to stay away from other people (self-isolate).

This means you should:

• stay at home
• not go to work, school or public places
• not use public transport or taxis
• ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you. If you are unable to access such support, then you should advise health authorities so that more assistance can be organised.
• try to avoid visitors to your home – it's OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food

You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection.

     

Self-isolation - 10 tips
Created: 2020-03-05 | Size: 324.72 KB

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Treatment for COVID-19

There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19.

Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.

Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.

You'll need to stay in isolation away from other people until you've recovered.

Health authorities will stay in contact, monitoring your care. They will make any decisions regarding whether you might need a higher level of care in hospital.

Who is most at risk of COVID-19?

People of all ages can get COVID-19. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) are more likely to become severely ill with the virus.

Everyone should follow simple measures to stop viruses like COVID-19 spreading, for example by washing their hands often with soap and water.

Can I catch COVID-19 off parcels from overseas

There is currently no evidence that you can catch COVID-19 from parcels and letters. Viruses like COVID-19 cannot live for very long outside the body.

Can I get COVID-19 from food or takeaways?

There is currently no evidence that you can catch COVID-19 from food.
But it's always a good idea to wash your hands in soap and water or use hand sanitiser gel before you prepare or eat food.

Are face masks useful for preventing COVID-19?

Face masks play a very important role in places like hospitals, but there is very little evidence of widespread benefit for members of the public.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

There is currently no vaccine for the COVID-19. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine.

Simple hygiene measures like washing your hands with soap and water often, and avoiding people who are unwell, can help stop viruses like COVID-19 spreading.

I have a child studying in the UK – should they come home?

Our advice is that students in the UK from the Falkland Islands should continue their studies, and follow all advice being provided to them by their education provider and the UK authorities. The NHS is well placed to provide care for those in the UK.

Students who are returning to the Falkland Islands for holidays should not change their plans. However if they become concerned over their health, they should immediately contact health services in the UK.

Anyone with suspected COVID-19 should definitely not seek to travel.

The Education Department is staying in touch with both Peter Symonds and Chichester College, and will pass on updated advice to the parents of any pupils known to be attending either institution.

Do I need to avoid public places?

No, unless you have been advised to self-isolate by health authorities.

Should I stock up on supplies?

There is no need for undue purchasing. Supply chains to the Islands are unaffected. Individuals with medication needs however may wish to check if they may need to obtain a repeat prescription in the near future.