The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
7
WQ.188/2020
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 2nd JUNE 2020
Question
Following the easing of restrictions on public activities, will the Chief Minister –
- advise how the Government is monitoring Covid-19 indicators to assess the impact of the easing of restrictions;
- provide the Assembly with a timeline to show how and when such monitoring has been and will continue to be undertaken; and
- ensure that there is application of, and adherence to, an incubation period in respect of any return of children to schools and any decisions in relation to the opening of shops and the use of public transport?
Answer
- The Government is monitoring Covid-19 infections and impact of infections across a range of metrics including but not limited to number of positive and negative case numbers, hospital occupancy and number of positive patients in hospital, death numbers and details of deaths. These metrics are analysed and visualised using different analytical and statistical methodologies. A variety of metrics and reports are also published daily and weekly on gov.je. In addition to the daily details on positives cases and deaths, recent publications also include a report on the reproductive number, a report on the preliminary results from the serology testing and detailed charts on Covid-19 case numbers over time. Public health intelligence is monitored and discussed at the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell which provides advise to the Government. In addition, detailed public health intelligence updates are provided at every Emergency Council meeting. Regular States Member Briefings and Scrutiny Briefings have been held since the outbreak and have provided further detail on monitoring metrics. Updates are also provided to the Health Minister and Competent Authority on Covid-19 metrics.
- The monitoring of on-island Covid-19 cases started with the first PCR test results received on 12 February. Since, the range of metrics monitored has been constantly expanded. The Government will continue to use the detailed Public Health Intelligence to inform their decision-making.
- The Government is monitoring all aspects of Covid-19 metrics very closely as described above. Government decisions on the exit strategy and each level (including all of the cases referred to in part
(c) of this question) are informed by the advice provided from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group.