Covid: Seven new cases detected on Isle of Man

There have now been a total of 444 cases of coronavirus on the island since March

Seven new cases of coronanvirus, including a ferry crew member, have been detected on the Isle of Man.

Six of the cases were found through the contact tracing process and all have been told to self-isolate, the chief minister said.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPC) earlier confirmed one of its island-based crew had tested positive for Covid-19.

Howard Quayle said the cluster had a clear line of transmission to the case.

The individual was "not in a customer facing role" meaning the "likelihood of any contact between this individual and passengers appears low", he added.

It follows the announcement that a UK-based member of the Ben-my-Chree's crew had tested positive last week.

Mr Quayle said all of the crew at IOMSPC and freight vessel operator Mezeron, Loganair staff who work on island air services and the air ambulance crews would be offered a vaccination.

The move would "help to reduce the risk" of crew members who regularly travel between the Isle of Man and the UK "becoming seriously ill as a result of contracting the virus" or passing it on in the Manx community, he said.

Urging everyone on the island to be vigilant, he added: "Human behaviour is the front line in the fight against this virus."

A total of 444 people on the island have tested positive for Covid-19 since March, 25 of whom have died.

There are currently 10 known active cases on the Isle of Man, all of whom are in isolation.