COVID-19 pandemic in Gibraltar

On 4 March, the first case was confirmed. The infected was a person who had travelled from Northern Italy via Málaga Airport. The patient was in self-isolation.[7] On 7 March, the patient was tested negative and was allowed to end the self-isolation.[8] At this point, in Gibraltar a further 63 persons were in self-isolation.

Total social lockdown began on 24 March, with certain exceptions for essential workers and businesses, over 70's having already entered lockdown.[9]

As of 27 March, 42 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in Gibraltar, including two workers from the Elderly Residential Services at Mount Alvernia.[10]

At the end of March a Florence Nightingale Field Hospital with 192 beds was completed on the Europa Point Sports Complex.[11]

In April, general lockdown was extended to 22 May, Gibraltar having on 23 April 4 active cases with 129 people having recovered. Over 2,000 tests having been carried out.[12]

On 9 May the border with Spain was opened to Spanish residents who held non-essential employment contracts in Gibraltar to allow them to return to work. Many businesses in Gibraltar having been allowed to reopen from 4 May.[13]

By 14 May, 147 cases were registered but with 144 recovered and no deaths.[14]

As of 1 June there were 12 active cases in Gibraltar with a further 7 cross border workers living in Spain also testing positive. 7,644 swabs had been undertaken, those confirmed positive were 170, with 19 active and 151 recovered.[15] As of 22 June there were no active cases, 176 cases had recovered and 11,129 tests had been carried out.[16] An active case was located on 27 June.

A contact App “BEAT Covid Gibraltar” was released on 18 June available through both Apple and Google with the objective to "reduce the further transmission of the COVID-19 virus by informing App users that they have been close to a person who has tested positive."[17] Alerts are sent for close contact of another App user who has been within 2 metres of an infected person for 15 minutes or more.[18]

As of 17 August there were 19 active cases (17 residents, 2 visitors), 217 confirmed cases and 194 recovered. 215 were currently in isolation, 27,458 tests had been undertaken.[19]

By 2 September there were 42 active cases (42 residents, 0 visitors) with 295 confirmed cases and 240 recovered. 206 were in isolation and 35,256 tests had been undertaken.[20] From 8 September a ban on gatherings of over 20 people in most circumstances was introduced with a fine of £100 applicable, although this can escalate to £10,000 with 3 months on prison.[21] As of 20 September, there were 21 active cases (21 residents, 0 visitors) with 350 confirmed cases and 323 recovered. 172 were in isolation and 42,458 tests had been undertaken.[22]

With increasing numbers of positive tests giving concern and to avoid another lockdown, the government announced it would increase capacity for tests to 1,000 per day with a saliva test for school users and workers every 2 weeks.[23] Elderly Resident Services placed in lockdown, from 23 October groups will be reduced to 16, in restaurants a limit of 8 per table, less tables and last orders 11pm, in bars last orders 9pm and close at 10pm, strongly recommended to wear masks in public areas.[24] Cases passed 500 in mid October.

The first death was recorded on 11 November,[25] the second on the 17 November,[26] the third on 19 November, all three in Gibraltar's Elderly Residential Service. The fourth death was in his 60's and the fifth in his 40's, both with underlying health problems. Cases passed 1,000 in late November.

The sixth death to COVID-19, of a man 65-70 was recorded on 13 December,[27] the increase in cases causing a 7pm curfew for bars and restaurants starting from 18 December. Cases doubled, passing 2,000 in December as a curfew was announced between 10pm and 6am as well as the closure of all non essential shops, including hairdressers and beauty salons until 10 January.[28]

With new cases averaging over 100 per day and a second Critical Care Unit being opened a full lockdown was put in place, to last 14 days, this means no leaving home except to work, exercise, shop for essentials or for medical reasons.[29] Vaccinations started on 10 January with front line hospital staff first in line.[30]

On 18 January it was reported that deaths had reached 45 and there were 681 active cases. However 5,847 vaccine doses had been administered,[31] corresponding to 17.3% of the population. By 26 January 11,073 had been vaccinated, corresponding to 33.8% of the population.[32] On 29 January Her Majesty's Government announced that Phase 1 of the vaccination program was complete, with over 12,800 (37.9%) vaccinated.[33] Phase 2 is due to start on 31 January, following receipt of additional vaccine on 30 January, and will provide second doses for those most at risk and then first doses for any over high risk people or priority workers who have not had one.[33]