CORONAVIRUS: Gibraltar has done well but it knows this fight is not over yet

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 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - 09:35

SPECIAL REPORT by PETER TABERNER

Gibraltar can feel proud of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, as not a single life has been lost due to Covid-19.

Up to the 26 May, the World Health Organization recorded only 155 cases of coronavirus. The influential World-ometer, a respected voice on the virus, places Gibraltar as the 159th worst effected area in its “league table“. One place ahead of Brunei, while being one place behind Guadeloupe.

Despite being a small population, the density of residents on the territory is very high, making it harder to keep coronavirus at bay. According to the World Bank there are 3,372 people per square kilometre in Gibraltar, compared to 93.5 in Spain.

There are still many battles left for fight over coronavirus, and as Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said, the biggest enemy is now complacency.

Yet just how has Gibraltar managed to stave off a high rate of infections, with no fatalities, the rest of Europe might learn from Gibraltar’s experiences. The Gibraltar government explained that one of the key aspects to Gibraltar’s success so far, is that it anticipated the situation and acted quickly.

In particular it saw the data which indicated that those over 70 were most at risk, and in March it was advised that people in this vulnerable category stay at home. Care homes were also targeted with strict measures, which was extended to those in government accommodation for senior citizens.

A government spokesperson reflected: “Gibraltar also locked down earlier and has undertaken an extensive and ongoing swabbing programme. Gibraltar is now ranked fourth in the world in relation to tests done per million of population.

“Today this stands at 7644 tests which is over 19% of the population. People with symptoms have been tested, as have frontline staff and a third group at random. “We are now moving to increase the number of tests further still and to an aggressive contact tracing approach.”

A contact tracing bureau has been established at St Bernard’s Hospital, and the Europa Point Nightingale Facility. Yet lockdown measures were introduced on 22 March, only a day before the same happened in the UK. This action was also prompted by the growing number of coronavirus patients in Spain. Offices could remain open, adhering to social distancing guidelines, but all were encouraged to work from home.

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02-06-2020 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR