COVID-19 Case Identified in the Community
9 August 2022
Government, Press Release, Travel and Shipping
Public advised to follow guidance and monitor themselves for signs of infection
Today, 08 August, a case of COVID-19 was identified in a member of the public from the USAF Base. The individual noticed possible signs of infection and in line with guidance arranged to take a test at their local medical facility.
The result of that test indicated that they were positive for COVID-19 infection. Although they had mild symptoms they have been advised to isolate for at least five days and then follow the guidance for ending their isolation following this.
Following the ending of quarantine for arrivals on 31 July, community transmission of the virus was expected and appropriate plans have been put in place by medical authorities and employers. Given COVID-19 preventative measures have now been relaxed, it can be expected that further cases will continue to be identified.
As such members of the public are advised to re-familiarise themselves with the guidance in place.
If you’re worried about catching COVID-19
If you are vaccinated, you’ve already taken the best action you can to safeguard yourself. Vaccinated persons are very well protected against developing a severe COVID-19 illness.
You may want to take consider taking other actions such as wearing a mask in enclosed spaces or around others, regularly washing your hands, avoiding unnecessarily large crowds indoors or making sure you ventilate indoor spaces when inside.
If you think you have symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are the recent onset of any of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- a sore throat
- diarrhoea or vomiting
- muscle aches and pains
If you have any of these symptoms you should contact your relevant medical service by telephone to arrange a test. These are:
62224 – USAF medical clinic
66310 – RAF medical centre
66252 – Georgetown Hospital
After you’ve been tested you should go home and await your result. Medical staff will then contact you.
If you test positive
You should contact your employer to inform them of your result, and also let family and friends know too.
You should isolate for a minimum of five days and monitor your own health. Most people will have only mild symptoms or maybe little to no symptoms at all, but if you think you are feeling particularly unwell you should telephone your relevant medical facility for advice.
It might be possible for employees in critical occupations to resume work under certain conditions if they are otherwise well enough to do so. If you think this applies to you then you should contact your employer to discuss this.
Whilst isolating you should avoid going out and should not invite guests to your home. Ask friends and family, or maybe your employer, to arrange for food and essentials to be delivered to your home.
If you share a home with others try to keep your distance where possible, where a mask in communal spaces and make sure you ventilate rooms well.
If you have no choice but to leave your home then you should wear a mask, avoid close contact with others and limit your interaction with others to only that which is essential (such as shopping for supplies or working if you are an essential worker).
After five days you should follow the guidance about ending isolation. If you feel well and no longer have symptoms, you can end your period of self-isolation. You should however consider still wearing a mask and practise good hand hygiene for several days afterwards.
If after five days you are still feeling unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, you should take a lateral flow test and repeat this every 48 hours if you continue to test positive. If at any point during this time you test negative, feel well, are no longer symptomatic or reach day 10 of your period of self-isolation, you can end your isolation.
Further guidance is available from your local medical facility, your employer and the AIG website via www.ascension.gov.ac/public-document/living-with-COVID-19.
If you have any concerns you should contact your local medical facility for further advice.
