Islanders Warned To 'Be Cautious' As Covid Infections Rise

Tuesday, 15 March 2022 15:26

A health chief has warned Islanders to be cautious as Covid infections start to rise once again.

In the last week, patients coming to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport with Covid or testing positive while at the hospital has doubled, says the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s interim chief executive Darren Cattell.

Speaking at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s health and social care committee yesterday (Monday), Mr Cattell said the community infection rate was growing and the trust is seeing a big increase in patients.

Government Covid figures show in the last seven days, 1,328 people on the Island have tested positive for Covid.

The rate in those seven days is 642.3 cases per 100,000 people on the Island, well above the national rate for England at 502.4.

On March 10, figures suggest 239 cases were logged — 26 of those being possible re-infections.

On March 8, there were 14 Covid patients in St Mary’s Hospital.

Mr Cattell said the increase could be for all sorts of reasons but in the recent weeks, Covid measures have been relaxed across the country.

It has meant those who have the virus no longer need to isolate and face masks do not have to be worn anymore.

Mr Cattell wanted to remind Islanders about Covid safety, prevention and precaution as opposed to treatment after catching the virus.

On the Island today (Tuesday), there are issues with Wightlink’s Fast Cat service as crucial staff members are isolating, meaning services stopped at lunchtime.

Wightlink’s chief executive officer, Keith Greenfield, yesterday said:

“We are all very disappointed that rising numbers of Covid cases have now caused us to make these cancellations which will inconvenience our customers.

“The team is working round the clock to fill gaps in our rosters and to minimise the impact of absences.”

Southern Vectis bus drivers are also isolating leading to the travel service warning customers about the likelihood of cancellations to different routes and journeys.