For up to date information on Covid-19 within the Bailiwick of Guernsey, please review the information available on the following website. covid19.gov.gg
Alderney has been fortunate to have been relatively spared from the pandemic although more recently we have had an outbreak which sadly resulted in the deaths of three patients at the hospital here on the island. In total we have had around fifty cases of Covid 19. The vast majority of cases have been in younger age groups and they have recovered well.
Health care providers have worked tirelessly on Alderney to help protect and care for those with Covid treating them at home as well as in the hospital. Public Health in Guernsey have overseen the Bailiwick response to the pandemic but we have contributed to adaptations as needed as one size does not fit all.
We have an elderly population and so there are more vulnerable people here. We are fortunate to be a small island and when someone becomes ill, the health care teams go into action. It is now common place to see clinicians in full PPE visiting patients at home or testing those with symptoms at the surgery.
In common with Dr Brink (Director of Public Health in Guernsey), we agree that Covid will become endemic over time but we must still not become too complacent. Hand hygiene, mask wearing and reducing risks in poorly ventilated spaces such as pubs and restaurants, attending large crowd gatherings such as Bonfire night parties and going forward, Christmas parties and Carol Services to name just a few.
Vaccination
There is no doubt at all that vaccination against Covid saves people becoming seriously ill and needing hospital care.
The IMC has been at the forefront of vaccination on the island and are proud to say that over 90% of our eligible population were vaccinated by us by July of this year. A small number of people declined vaccination and some are not able to have it for medical reasons. We are now administering booster vaccination using the Moderna vaccine. If you have not been called forward and are over 50, please contact the surgery on 01481 822077.
Further details for vaccinating children and those who are immunosuppressed will be advertised shortly.
Winter Woes
This is a name given by health professionals to the rise in respiratory illnesses such as colds, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pneumonia and flu in the Winter months. These additional infections can prove very serious for those most vulnerable, such as the elderly and those with immunocompromised systems. Due to lockdowns and other public health measures, the UK saw very few cases of true influenza last year which now means our bodies have not developed immunity to the strains of flu coming this Winter. The big concern is a perfect storm of both flu and Covid 19 appearing at the same time, which could be catastrophic for some people.
We recommend all eligible patients come forward when invited for their flu jabs this Winter as well as coming for their Covid boosters. This helps to reduce the severity of both diseases. We know these vaccinations do not necessarily mean you do not catch or transmit the infections to others but if it means fewer sick people in the community or in hospital, then that can only be a good thing.
Please have a look at the link below for all up to date information about flu and Covid boosters.