The Chief Minister will hold a briefing tomorrow (Thursday) after a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the Isle of Man.

The Council of Ministers met yesterday to consider concerns about the economic and social impact of self-isolation rules.

Yesterday’s government figures showed that 30 new Covid cases had been identified in the last 24 hours.

That brought the total in the island up to 130 active cases.

Six were travel-related, two locally acquired (by a known source), seven locally acquired (via an unknown source) and 15 were pending investigation.

Currently, anyone who is fully vaccinated does not have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with the virus.

However, those who aren’t fully vaccinated do have to self-isolate, even if they receive a negative test result.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK said: ’With the gradual increase in Covid-19 cases over recent days, a growing number of people are having to self-isolate.

’I know there is concern on the impact this is having on staffing, particularly for smaller organisations, with some having to temporarily close.

’As cases and self-isolation numbers grow, so will the level of disruption for employers. Government is listening to these concerns.’

He added: ’Thanks to our vaccination programme, we are adapting to live with the virus. Despite current case numbers, there are currently no Covid-19 hospital admissions and no indication that anyone is seriously ill with the virus.

’Each day, the number of people fully vaccinated increases, meaning fewer and fewer people will be required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with the virus.’

In the Isle of Man Examiner this week, Health Minister David Ashford responds to questions raised by a World Health Organisation doctor who questioned the ’dangerous assumption’ that high vaccination rates would prevent substantial surges in hospitalisation.

Mr Ashford also gives his views about a letter from doctors in the medical journal, The Lancet, criticising the decision in England to come out of lockdown on July 19.

He says why he doesn’t believe that we should have waited till all adults had had both jabs before easing border controls.

Mr Quayle said: ’Whilst the work goes on to complete our vaccination programme, we must continue to protect our community.

’However, we cannot ignore the social and economic impact of the growing number of people identified as close contacts, but not yet fully vaccinated, having to self-isolate.

’The Council of Ministers has explored a number of options that could alleviate this situation. I will hold a briefing on Thursday at 4pm to update the public.’