COVID-19 Response Level Reduced to Level 1 AMBER

5 July 2022

Government

  Further tests confirm previously positive individual in quarantine now negative

Key messages

• One recent arrival, who was in compulsory isolation when testing indicated a positive result for COVID-19, has subsequently tested negative for COVID-19.
• Results from repeated testing conducted over the weekend indicate the individual is negative for COVID-19 and are therefore no longer infectious.
• The Response Level has been reduced to Level 1 AMBER.

On Saturday 25 June, an individual observing compulsory isolation measures returned a positive COIVD-19 test result during routine testing of persons under quarantine.

In line with Ascension’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, the individual was monitored by medical staff and subject to additional testing to confirm the level of their infection.

Further testing conducted on the individual in the last few days has returned multiple negative results and as such they are no longer deemed to be infectious or a risk to others. They have therefore had their period of compulsory isolation ended and the Ascension COVID-19 Response Level has been reduced to Level 1 AMBER.

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 Thursday 23 June on a flight from the USA. They had previously returned negative COVID-19 test results on arrival at the island. As with all persons under group quarantine, they were subject to testing during their isolation period.

The result of this test was positive. The individual currently has mild symptoms and is otherwise well.

As they were observing compulsory isolation in a bubble, the other persons in that bubble will now also remain under quarantine and observation by medical staff.

Tests conducted earlier in the week on the positive individual returned successive negative results. Given these negative results the Senior Medical Officer is satisfied that there is no risk to the public from the previously positive individual, and they were granted permission to end their period of isolation on Monday 04 July.

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 the UK Health Security Agency (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.

Even though the individual that tested positive had not had any contact with the wider public, and therefore COVID-19 was contained, the level of risk to Ascension from COVID-19 had increased and as a result the response level was raised. Following the negative test result and confirmation that the threat from COVID-19 had reduced, the response level was returned to Level 1 AMBER.