
The King Edward Memorial Hospital is currently dealing with a critically ill child, who is suspected to have COVID-19. Until this is confirmed by test, this remains a matter of clinical judgment. As a result of this, the Falkland Islands Government is moving its response to the next stage, in accordance with our Infectious Disease Plan and other preparations. Our thoughts go out to the child, the child’s family and friends.

A new satellite system that could revolutionize mobile connectivity has been tested successfully, setting a new world record in the process, according to its inventor. Tyghe Spiedel is the co-founder of Lynk, a company that builds very small satellites designed to communicate with standard mobile phones.

Argentina on Monday said it had reached out to Britain`s ambassador in Buenos Aires to offer material support to the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands hit by the coronavirus outbreak.

In light of the developing situation with COVID-19, the Falkland Islands King Edward Memorial Hospital, KEMH in Stanley is suspending the Monday – Friday walk-in blood clinic with immediate effect until further notice.

The Falkland Islands Government announced on Monday it is assisting a number of cruise vessels seeking to repatriate their passengers to other countries through air charter flights. Working with our partners at the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, a policy has been put in place that allows this humanitarian operation, while still protecting our population from COVID-19.

The Falkland Islands Government on Friday moved to the next stage of its response to the global COVID-19 situation. While there are still no confirmed cases on the Islands, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rebecca Edwards, says it is now likely COVID-19 is present here.

Authorities of Cape Verde have closed all sea borders and have restricted flights from the UK, US, Canada and a number of other European countries from 18 March. As of 18 March, only a restricted number of flights are allowed into the country to enable visitors to return home. This follows confirmation of a Covid 19 case in the former Portuguese colony.

The Falklands weekly Penguin News this week published a summary of releases, decisions, recommendations and overall strategy of the Islands facing, as in the rest of the world the challenge of Covid 19. The big news is that the Falklands until this week, had no positive tested cases of the virus and that so far there is sufficient health care capacity and expertise to face the situation.

The Anglo Theatre Touring Company arrived in the Falkland Islands ready to entertain children and adults alike, but sadly new travel restrictions in Chile meant they had to leave the Islands earlier than planned.

The Falkland Islands Government has announced a new air travel advisory and outlined the terms on which it may assist cruise ships seeking to repatriate passengers. Likewise, it strongly recommends foreign nationals seeking to leave the Falklands to do so on Wednesday, March 18, LATAM flight.