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The first covid-19 related death has been recorded in the Channel Islands after a patient passed away in Jersey, with further confirmed positive cases in Guernsey, amid tight restrictions on life across the islands in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
The elderly Jersey patient who has died was in hospital where they were receiving end of life care for "long-term underlying health conditions".
Jersey's Health Minster, Deputy Richard Renouf, announced the sad news late on Wednesday night, shortly after it had been confirmed the number of positive test results in Guernsey had reached 30.
Deputy Rondel said: "This patient was in their 80s, with underlying long-term health conditions, on an end-of-life pathway, and was receiving palliative care.
"While they were being treated for their illness, and at the latter stages of their life, the patient contracted Covid-19 and has, sadly, died today, Wednesday the 25th March, in the care of Health and Community Services.
"All efforts are being made to contact their next of kin and I would like to offer my condolences at this sad time."
Video: Jersey's Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, announcing that the first patient with covid-19 in the Channel Islands has died.
Deputy Rondel said that no further details would be released about the patient to protect their confidentiality.
Jersey's Health Minister went on to ask that people refrain from speculation on social media, noting that there has been a "significant amount of misinformation circulating about our response to corona virus."
He added: "It is important that we disseminate only accurate information, as tragically – in future – we will have to report on more deaths."
Jersey has taken a different approach to the Bailiwick of Guernsey in its efforts to curb the spread of corona virus.
Both islands' government have said since the pandemic was first declared that they would make decisions for their own communities based on what is right for each island.
It’s weird, followed UK/world news my whole life but in last week not at all. There is only one story; and I have no capacity for any information other than that which is relevant to us and the task in hand, namely making the very best decisions for our community day-by-day.
— Gavin St Pier (@gavinstpier) March 22, 2020
The States of Guernsey were the first to impose tighter controls at the islands borders, and to put the Bailiwick into lockdown this week.
Jersey schools closed first in efforts to prevent community seeding among children.
Numerous times recently, Deputy Gavin St Pier, the Chief Minister and Chair of Guernsey's Civil Contingencies Authority, has said our Bailiwick needs to look at what we are doing and not others.
Decisions made locally are being based on the guidance offered by Dr Nicola Brink and her team at Public Health Guernsey.
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