Covid: Isle of Man virus outbreak rises to five cases

Almost all lockdown restrictions were lifted on the island on Monday

Five new community cases of coronavirus have been confirmed on the Isle of Man.

Two new infections were detected on Tuesday evening, just two days after lockdown restrictions were lifted, and another three emerged through the contact tracing and testing process.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the first two cases, which could not be linked to each other or the previous outbreak, were "cause for concern".

One of the latest cases had "been in a school setting", he added.

It takes the total number of active cases of the virus on the island to 10, with one person receiving treatment in Noble's Hospital.

Two of the current infections are linked to the previous outbreak and the remaining three are linked to travel.

The last Covid-19 case with an unknown source of transmission on the island was recorded on 30 March.

'Highest vigilance'

A government spokesman confirmed that one of the cases involved a pupil at Ramsey primary school Bunscoill Rhumsaa.

All children in the same class and their teacher have been asked to self-isolate along with other members of their households while contact tracing continues, he said.

He said the school would reopen on Thursday after undergoing a deep clean overnight.

Mr Quayle said: 'It is an important reminder that although we were able to lift legal restrictions on Monday 19 April, we should not think of our situation as back to normal.

"A global pandemic is still happening around us and we need to maintain the highest levels of vigilance."

He urged anyone who developed symptoms of the virus to take the appropriate action and call the coronavirus 111 helpline "even if you have been vaccinated".

A further update would be issued as soon as more information became available, he added.