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Government, Press Release
Key messages
On Friday 18 March a positive COVID-19 test result was returned following routine testing of persons observing compulsory isolation.
As the individual was observing compulsory isolation within a bubble, they have been placed into individual isolation and will have their conditions monitored by medical staff.
This case is not connected to the positive result identified on Tuesday 08 March, having been returned from someone that arrived on a different flight.
Under Level 2 ORANGE measures, public venues and facilities remain open. As it is expected that the introduction of COVID-19 into the wider community has not occurred, this escalation is a precautionary measure and serves to ensure that a higher level of alertness is observed by authorities on the island and the general public.
Members of the public should continue to practise good cough and hand hygiene, and be alert to the development of any potential COVID-19 symptoms.
When additional testing confirms negative results and the Senior Medical Officer is satisfied that there is no longer a COVID-19 presence on the island, the Response Level will return to Level 1 AMBER.
Further information regarding this matter will be made available to the public in the coming days.
As ever, anyone who develops a new persistent dry cough, a fever or experiences unexpected shortness of breath should go home, self-isolate and telephone Georgetown Hospital on 66252 for further advice.
Background
The individual in question had arrived at Ascension on Wednesday 16 March on a flight from the USA. They had previously returned a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours prior to their departure for Ascension, and on arrival at the island.
The individual currently has mild cold-like symptoms and is otherwise in good health. They have been placed into individual isolation and they will have their condition monitored by medical staff.
The staff at Georgetown Hospital remain in constant liaison with experts in the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) to ensure that the individual who has tested positive receives appropriate support. Further testing will take place over the coming days to monitor the level of infection.
This is a scenario that AIG had planned and prepared for. Robust measures for effectively managing arrivals to Ascension have been in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These protocols have been developed in liaison with experts from UKHSA and are designed to ensure that any person arriving at the island is kept separate from the general public until the Senior Medical Officer can be assured that they do not pose a risk of introducing COVID-19 into the community.
As a result, the individual who has tested positive has not had any contact with the wider public. Authorities are therefore confident that the virus has been effectively contained and so has not been spread to others in the community.
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