Testing results

The Bailiwick of Guernsey has achieved consistent, sustained control of the virus that causes COVID-19, but it remains vulnerable to re-introduction, particularly while surrounding jurisdictions are experiencing high prevalence rates of infection. 

BETS has been developed to mitigate the risk of reintroduction of COVID-19 with the dual aims of:

• Detecting more infections in travellers before they can be spread to the community; and
• Achieving early detection of any escaped cases/clusters, which can be targeted with the test/trace/isolate processes to interrupt any ongoing transmission and snuff out outbreaks before they lead to widespread community transmission.

To help find and extinguish any ‘missed’ infections and thereby stop the virus taking hold in the islands, end of isolation testing on Day 13 is being offered to travellers, effective since week beginning 16th November: 

Planning for surveillance testing within the following groups is underway and will begin as soon as possible (exact groups to be confirmed):

• Staff with highest risk of contact with recent travellers, e.g. aircraft/ferry cabin staff/crew; land-side port staff; taxi drivers; PEH clinical swabbing team;
• Staff at long-term care facilities, including those who do not have direct contact with residents; and
• People working with the vulnerable in the community

Following an evidence review in October and in light of new WHO guidance, the retest strategy for positive cases has been clarified and is now:

• A test on day 10 may be offered
• If negative, you may be released from self-isolation and considered recovered if clinically appropriate.
• If day 10 positive, a clinical review will take place on day 14
• If on day 14 you still have symptoms we will continue to call you regularly and you will be released once Public Health feel you are no longer a risk to the community

What is our overall testing strategy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc7bsLs53O0&feature=youtu.be

What kind of test are we doing on Island?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6ky9vgd_tc&feature=youtu.be

How do I know if I should be tested?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Lai1mIBgk&feature=youtu.be

If I have to be tested what happens?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mip9dyyggT0&feature=youtu.be

What is an antibody test?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGiwtmxzD-c&feature=youtu.be

Are there other kinds of coronavirus tests being developed?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svvyTFg2Q2U&feature=youtu.be

Testing at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPjnSsR_qpU

The Bailiwick of Guernsey has achieved consistent, sustained control of the virus that causes COVID-19, but it remains vulnerable to re-introduction, particularly while surrounding jurisdictions are experiencing high prevalence rates of infection.

The testing programme for travellers has been developed to mitigate the risk of reintroduction of COVID-19 with the dual aims of:

• Detecting more infections in travellers before they can be spread to the community; and
• Achieving early detection of any escaped cases/clusters, which can be targeted with the test/trace/isolate processes to interrupt any ongoing transmission and snuff out outbreaks before they lead to widespread community transmission.

To help find and extinguish any ‘missed’ infections and thereby stop the virus taking hold in the islands, end of isolation testing on Day 13 is being offered to travellers. This is to detect late presenting infections and is in line with ECDC guidance.

This is a pilot scheme which will offer testing on day 13 to those travellers self-isolating where capacity allows. You will be called by the Scheduling Team to arrange a test either at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital or the Mignot Memorial Hospital in Alderney. You do not need to call the team to arrange this for yourself.

The pilot will cover the period of time when the majority of students will be returning to the Bailiwick. A negative test on day 13 will be very reassuring to them, their families and the community.

Testing on day 13 will allow those on the scheme who receive a negative day 13 test result to leave self-isolation immediately, though those tested as part of a family or group will have to wait for each member to receive a negative test result. More information can be found on the travel link below, and further information and conditions of participation will be provided to those who take part.

Whilst there is benefit to travellers of taking a day 13 test, it presents a significant benefit to the community by picking up late presenting infections before the end of the 14 day self-isolation period.

https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/general

Since it was establish on 6 March 2020, the Clinical helpline which is run by JESCC has handled over 16,000 calls from Islanders seeking clinical advice about COVID-19.

As we move towards the winter it is timely to remind islanders what the clinical helpline is there to do – and more importantly, what it can’t do.

Call handlers on this line are there to assess whether you need a COVID-19 test based on a set of clinical questions that they will talk you through over the telephone.  Calling the helpline will essentially result in one of two outcomes:

• If you need a COVID-19 test they will refer you to the scheduling team who will arrange an appointment.
• They will determine that you don’t need a COVID-19 test and the call handler will take no further action.

What the call handlers CANNOT do is determine whether you need any additional clinical assessment or treatment. If you don’t need an ambulance and are unwell then you should contact your primary care practitioner who will be able to determine the cause of your illness and the correct treatment. 

Before you call for assistance please bear in mind the following:

• If you are very unwell phone 999
• If you are concerned you are unwell and need to speak to someone about your symptoms call your GP
• If you have symptoms that are manageable at home which you are not worried about, call the helpline to discuss if you need a COVID test

You can contact primary care BEFORE you receive the results of your COVID-19 test but you must tell them you are waiting for a test/results when you call. They will make arrangements to see you in the clinics that have set aside for those with respiratory/potential COVID-19 symptoms.

We know that the community has been extremely concerned about the source of the cluster of cases that was identified last month.

At the time these cases were announced the Director of Public Health and the Contact Tracing Team were unable to identify the source of infection for the index case. 

We are now in a position to confirm that we believe we have identified the source of the infection and that all necessary retrospective steps have been taken to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 has been identified and contained.  It is always possible that reintroduction occurs – what happened here was the efficient test, track and isolation programme enabled a rapid response and containment. 

10 positive cases were identified in this cluster – 6 were related to a specific venue (which was not the source of the original infection), 3 were family members and 1 was a work colleague (again not the source of the original infection). We can also confirm that the source of the infection was NOT a student. 

Our enhanced testing capacity allowed Public Health Services to carry out widespread testing (i.e. not limited to close contacts) and, therefore, 268 contacts were tested regarding the cluster. 

Since 21st September, as part of our community testing programme, we have tested nearly 3 thousand symptomatic people in the community and none of these individuals have tested positive. 

There is no reason for the community to be concerned about the prospect of continued infection from the source of infection or this cluster of cases that was identified. We are unable to provide any more information as it is essential that we respect confidentiality and establish a rapport with positive cases as to do otherwise would impact on the efficacy of our contact tracing.