Diary > Monday 22nd March

[Ruskie]

Yes, MH, we had a couple of near misses I think. It could have been a lot worse. Shame the IoM has so many cases now as they were doing so well. 

[KGarrad]

IOM Track-and-Trace (don't forget we aren't in the UK!) identifies 3 potential causes of positive cases:
1. Those linked, via track-and-trace to an existing, known, positive case.
2. Those linked to arrivals from UK (all Manx residents).
3. Those from an "unknown" source.

Latest figures: 858 active cases; 660 linked; 6 from travel; 189 unknown; 3 pending analysis.

[Ruskie]

Those stats are pretty dire KGarrad. 

[KGarrad]

But improving!

Chief Minister blaming people still going to work, even when they have symptoms.

Latest idiot: man arrived back on island and went to shop to top-up his mobile phone.
Instructions are to go straight home and self-isolate for 21 days (14 days if you want to pay for 3 tests).
Result: 4 weeks gaol.

[Ruskie]

So is self isolation the recommendation for people arriving on the IoM?

We tried that at the beginning and when random checks were made to make sure people were staying home, something like 1/3 weren't, hence resorting to hotel quarantine.

Apparently it is rife in Papua New Guinea at the moment. We've sent shipments of our AZ vaccine up there - helps us as well as them.

[KGarrad]

So is self isolation the recommendation for people arriving on the IoM?

It's obligatory.
You also need a Resident Registration Number, and a Landing Form which allows residents to travel back to the island.

[Roobarb]

Sorry to hear you caught the virus KG, thank goodness it hasn't made you ill. I read about the mobile phone man, can't fathom why he would need to go to the shop to top up anyway.
I also read (about a week ago, could be more) that the suspected origin of the outbreak was a man (or men) who worked on the ferry. Not sure whether that was proved or discounted.

Hope you soon test negative.

[Mowsehowse]

Interesting reading.

The Independent Sage people have been insistent that unless people can afford to stay at home they are unlikely to test or self isolate.

So difficult for people who are desperate for their wages, lest they lose their home, or can't buy food.

[KGarrad]

Sorry to hear you caught the virus KG, thank goodness it hasn't made you ill. I read about the mobile phone man, can't fathom why he would need to go to the shop to top up anyway.
I also read (about a week ago, could be more) that the suspected origin of the outbreak was a man (or men) who worked on the ferry. Not sure whether that was proved or discounted.

Hope you soon test negative.

The problems with the Steam Packet Company are still being investigated.
Allegedly(!!) the man concerned had no contact with passengers; so it's not clear how he got infected.