14 May 2020
The Health and Social Services Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, has welcomed a new coronavirus report from Statistics Jersey, which estimates how the virus has been spreading in Jersey over the course of the pandemic.
The report estimates the value of the virus’s reproduction number – the so-called R value – which calculates the number of subsequent infections that one new infection will introduce into the population.
Deputy Renouf said: “I would like to thank Statistics Jersey for their work on this report, which provides us with more evidence to use when deciding how to manage our response to this pandemic.
“I’m pleased to see that the reproductive rate is now well below 1. The report shows the impact of the measures we have introduced, including social distancing, school closures and the ‘Stay Home’ instruction.
“Although there is a degree of uncertainty in the estimates, the broad trend is useful to show the difference our restrictions have made, and it provides more data to inform future decision making, alongside test results, medical and scientific advice.
“As we move through the levels of our Safe Exit Framework I would urge Islanders to continue to maintain physical distance from people outside their household, as we should not lapse into complacency at this important stage.”
Report estimating coronavirus 'R' value