Category: News

Using the Internet Safely

As part of St Helena Government’s (SHG) Internet Awareness Campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of the internet and to promote safety when online, this week the focus is on using the internet safely.

In today’s digital age more and more people, both young and old, are using the internet. While it is an amazing resource for information as well as a great place for social interaction, if not used safely the internet can present many dangers to those who use it.

With hacks, scams, malware and more, the World Wide Web can feel like a daunting place to visit for anyone not aware of how best to be protected. The creation of devices, from smartphones and tablets to internet-connected appliances, have opened people up to even greater risks when online.

The good news is that, by taking some small security measures, people can greatly reduce their exposure to these threats. These tips can help make sure that you use the internet safely:

• Create complex passwords – Creating strong, unique passwords for all your critical accounts really is the best way to keep your personal and financial information safe
• Use a firewall – This is an electronic barrier that blocks unauthorized access to your computers and devices
• Think before you click – Many of today’s online threats are based on phishing for personal or sensitive information for fraudulent purposes. Spam emails, phony ‘free’ offers, click bait, online quizzes, and more all use these tactics to entice you to click on dangerous links. Always be wary of offers that sound too good to be true
• Protect your mobile – Mobile devices are vulnerable to online threats as well as new risks, such as risky apps and dangerous links sent by text message. Be careful where you click, don’t respond to messages from strangers, and only download apps from official app stores. Ensure that security software is enabled on your mobile, just like your computers and other devices
• Keep up to date – Keep all your software updated so you have the latest security patches
• Keep your guard up – Online threats are evolving all the time, so make sure you know what to look out for by looking and listening out for the latest scams and techniques. Always be cautious about what you do online, which sites you visit, and what you share. Use comprehensive security software, and make sure to back up your data on a regular basis in case something goes wrong

Remember these tips next time you are online and share them with friends and family, especially children with access to the internet, to ensure that you and the people you care about are using the internet safely.

#StHelena #StayingSafeOnline #UsingTheInternetSafely

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SHG
15 July 2019

The Health Directorate is aware of a very small number of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases. As a precautionary measure, the following information is being released:

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a viral infection that can affect young children.  It does not usually pose a serious threat to a child’s health but can be an unpleasant condition particularly if it affects younger children.

Typical symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease include:

• Cold-like symptoms, such as loss of appetite, cough and a moderately high temperature of around 38-39°C (100.4-102.2°F)
• A non-itchy red rash, made up of spots or small fluid-filled sacs (vesicles), which usually develop on the hands and feet, but may also occur on the knees, elbows, groin and buttocks – sometimes the rash can develop into painful blisters
• Painful mouth ulcers

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a self-limiting condition, which means it will get better on its own without treatment.  The symptoms will usually pass within seven days.

However, the symptoms can be uncomfortable so possible treatment options include:

• Using paracetamol, ibuprofenand mouth gels to relieve the pain of mouth ulcers
• Drinking plenty of fluidsto help relieve a high temperature

These items can all be obtained from the Pharmacy or from local stores.  There is no need to see a Doctor for this condition.

But you should contact your Doctor if your child is not drinking any fluid or their symptoms last longer than seven days.

A person with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is highly contagious until about a week after the symptoms begin. Because of the way the infection is spread, outbreaks of the disease can occur in places where groups of children need to have their nappies changed or use a potty, such as nurseries or childcare centres.

You should keep your child away from school or nursery while they are unwell.

However, there is no need to wait until the last blister has gone before your child can return to school or nursery, providing they are otherwise well.

The Health Directorate cannot issue sick certificates for parents whose children are unwell. Please contact your HR department for guidance on Parental or Emergency leave.

#StHelena #HealthDirectorate #AltogetherHealthier

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SHG

12 July 2019

 

His Excellency Governor Dr. Philip Rushbrook is currently visiting Ascension Island for the first time since being appointed Governor of St Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha in May.

On Wednesday evening, 10 July 2019, the Governor, alongside Ascension Island Administrator, Steve Chandler, hosted a Town Hall meeting in Georgetown at the Saints Members Club (see photo attached). The meeting was well attended by members of the Ascension community.

After a short speech, the Governor took questions from the floor. Topics were wide ranging and included the ongoing runway repair project, employment legislation, the designation of a marine protected area, and the Island’s education provision. The Governor then continued conversations with the public as he hosted an open drinks reception following the meeting.

This morning, Thursday, 11 July 2019, Governor Rushbrook attended a meeting of the Business Consultation Forum (BCF). The BCF is the mechanism by which the various stakeholders that contribute to the Business Levy meet to discuss any proposed changes or adjustments to it. This provided the Governor the opportunity to better understand what shape this important financial instrument might take over the coming years.

Amongst other engagements, the Governor’s itinerary for the rest of his time on Ascension will see him attend the Two Boats School End of Year Awards Ceremony, an Informal Meeting of the Island Council, and tour the Island’s medical facilities.

Governor Rushbrook will return to St Helena on Sunday, 14 July 2019.

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SHG
11 July 2019

Earlier this year the Napoleonic Bicentenary Vision Group was established and tasked with creating a vision for how St Helena will mark the bicentenary commemorating the 200^th anniversary of French Emperor Napoleon’s death on 5 May 2021.  The group looked beyond 2021 to capitalise on the Napoleonic legacy in terms of education and tourism/economic development.

The work undertaken by the Group, supported and informed by the organisations and community members consulted, has articulated the following vision which the whole Island can support:

Engaging the Napoleonic Heritage on St Helena through Arts and Crafts, Song and Dance, Literature and Drama, Walks and Re-enactments to create a lasting legacy for posterity and the benefit of the Island as a whole.

This vision, contained in a report from the Group, has been accepted and endorsed by Enterprise St Helena (ESH) and St Helena Government and has been presented to the Economic Development Committee.

Chairman of the Vision Group, Councillor Lawson Henry said:

“It was an honour for me to have been asked to chair the Vision Group and to have worked with such talented people.  They had a real vision as to how we can capitalise on the Napoleonic history of St Helena to our advantage.” 

ESH is now in the process of recruiting a Project Manager to co-ordinate and oversee the development of a detailed operational plan to implement the Vision. A steering group is being initiated to support the Project Manager with putting the plan into action.

Chief Executive for Economic Development, Dr Dawn Cranswick, concluded:

“The Vision Group successfully created an ambitious headline programme of activities and events setting out how St Helena will commemorate this globally important anniversary. The Project Manager, with guidance and support from Steering Group members, will have a unique opportunity to spearhead the process of turning the Vision into reality, for the benefit of St Helena as a whole.”

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 SHG

10 July 2019

The St Helena Statistics Office has today released estimates of the price inflation rate and the Retail Price Index. The latest rate of annual price inflation is estimated to be 4.0%, between the first quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2018. This is a slight 0.1 percentage point decrease from the rate in the previous quarter (Q1, 2019), when the annual price inflation rate was measured at 4.1% (see Chart 1). The quarterly price inflation rate of 0.7% (i.e. Q1 2019 compared to Q4 2018) is a very slight increase in the rate from last quarter, when it was 0.5%.

 

Compared to a year ago, the biggest increase in prices has been in ‘Communications’ (12.5%), the cumulative effect of an increase in landline telephone services in the third quarter of 2018, and an increase in broadband internet services in the second quarter of 2019. The lowest annual increase has been in ‘Household Energy’, reflecting the unchanged price of domestic electricity.

Compared to the previous quarter, average prices increased in all categories, except for household energy and transport which remained unchanged. The biggest quarterly increase was in ‘Household Goods and Services’ (3.4%), largely because of recorded increases in the price of imported furniture and household cleaning fluids.

The full Statistical Bulletin can be found on the St Helena Government website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistical-bulletin-no-7-2019/, detailed data can be accessed in Excel format from the ‘Inflation’ file at: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistics-data.

#StHelena #Statistics #Prices #Inflation #Economy #StatsNews

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SHG
10 July 2019

On St Helena there is a need for foster placements for many different reasons and it is important that there are foster carers trained and available to provide different levels of support to children and young people.

Fostering means looking after a child or young person in your home, caring for them while their own parents are unable to do so, providing a stable family environment and helping them to develop and succeed.

There are many different types of fostering placements. Every child and young person will have different needs. A positive outcome for fostering may be returning to their parents or extended family. Other children may succeed best in long term alternative families including permanent foster care placements. However, there are also some unique placement types such as parent and child placements which involves providing support and guidance to a young mother and/or father helping them develop their parenting skills while offering care for their children.

The type of placement that carers will provide will be based on their particular skills and abilities, their family situation, the suitability of their home and their availability to give support.

There is a fostering allowance paid to you for opening your home to foster a child.

Fostering can be a real challenge and is not for everyone, but for those that decide it is for them, they will find it fulfilling and rewarding.

If you would like to know more about fostering, please go along to one of the venues listed below and have a chat with Mr Lynval Thompson from the Fostering Campaign Team, on behalf of the Children & Adult Social Care Directorate.

Date	Venue	Time
Monday, 15 July	Prince Andrew School	4pm-6pm
Tuesday, 16 July	Harford Primary School	4pm-6pm
Wednesday, 17 July	St Paul’s Primary School	6.30pm-8pm
Thursday, 18 July	Anne’s Place	11am-2pm
Thursday, 18 July	Pilling Primary School	5pm-7pm

 

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SHG

9 July 2019