Monday, April 6, 2020 - 09:46

The proportion of tests carried out here is high compared to our population size, says the Government.Even if some have been tested more than once.The weekend grand total of 1136 tests so far is some 3.6% of the population.There is a clear trend in the figures.

Said Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia: "The virus attacks more of our people. We can only contain the spread if you stay at home.

Please understand this. Only go out when you really have to. The rate of growth is slow for now.

It means that our health service can cope.

But the numbers cannot get out of control. This is what has happened in other countries. Their healthcare systems have collapsed."

There are sad stories from elsewhere every day.

There are one million confirmed infections across the world.Over 13,000 deaths in Italy.

Over 10,000 deaths in Spain. The UK passed 1000 fatalities the previous weekend. That has now trebled in less than a week And the dramatic rise in the United States.

This virus affects large and small countries alike. It knows no boundaries. It has no regard for climate or weather. No concern for geography or population. This is what a global pandemic means.

Small territories are just as affected. 396 people are infected in Andorra. 13 have already passed away.

81 in Jersey,where 2 have died.

236 in San Marino, which is surrounded by Italy, and 28 have lost their lives already.

And 78 in Guernsey, where one person has died.

Everywhere, things get worse before they get better.

Speaking at the press conrence, he added: "We have prepared Gibraltar for what is to come.

With all our resources, all our time, and all our energy. This strategy has been two-pronged.

First, we have increased the number of beds.

Second, we have acted to reduce the spread.

"On beds let me say that there are more beds at St Bernard’s than ever.181 beds. There are 13 beds in our COVID ICU. 25 ICU beds in total.

Up 500%.

"A further 190 beds at the Europa Point hospital.

This has the capacity to increase to 300. ERS has 302 beds.The Retreat Centre has 30 more beds.

"A cohort of 24 UK nurses have been deployed.

MOD medics and staff are now involved.We have done everything that can be done. It is impossible to do more."

Of course, given the nature of the virus this could change in an instant.

"The steps that we took have already saved lives.This is what our experts tell us. But we need your help also. We should confine the virus not spread it.You should leave home only if you have to. Do not find excuses to go out. It does not take all morning to walk the dog.Take out the rubbish quickly and go back home. Exercise should not become a pretext to socialise.To do so is to take risks," he said.

Of course, most people are following the rules.