“Don’t panic, everything is under control”

Friday 23 October 2020

The number of covid-19 cases has increased to seven, with an additional 'presumptive' case, as the CCA members issued a plea for people to "stop listening to tittle-tattle on social media", as responding to rumours diverts staff away from providing front-line services.

New Civil Contingencies Authority Chairman Peter Ferbrache, in his first covid-19 media briefing, insisted that "everything is under control" and that the current cluster is no indication of community seeding.

"There is no need for anyone to be concerned - everything is under control. No one needs to worry and everything is being dealt with and no new measures are being introduced at this stage."

It has emerged in the last hour that the Isle of Man has "suspended" the current air bridge. Officials are currently working with Aurigny and scheduled passengers with further announcements expected later today. 

Public Health Director Dr Nicola Brink said there have been a further three cases overnight, plus a 'presumptive' case, taking the current total to seven/eight which forms part of a cluster. 

However, she says her Public Health team is closing in on the cluster, as evidenced by the fact that the last two positive cases had zero contacts, because they have been in self-isolation.

Pictured: Today's line-up for the CCA's media briefing. 

"Five of the cases are linked to a specific venue and one other member was a work colleague," added Dr Brink.

"What we don’t have is widespread community seeding."

Former HSC President Heidi Soulsby will remain part of CCA for the time being as an advisor for continuity. Deputy Soulsby said being covid-free for several months had led to some complacency in the community, while she also expressed concerns about staff time having to be spent responding to hearsay on social media.

"Don’t listen to social media - just listen to what we say. We won’t hide things from people and we have always been open."

"Please listen to us, not what somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody said on social media."

The island is still set to move to Phase 5c, however that has been pushed back by two days and is now due to start next Wednesday. 

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