There were 126 positive COVID-19 test results reported Wednesday, 123 of which are believed to be locally transmitted cases, according to a press release issued on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“You’ll all be aware that the number of positives is rising quite sharply now and not only in Grand Cayman but in the Sister Islands as well,” Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said in a video released by Government Information Services earlier in the day. “It’s a concern for all of us and my thoughts are with everyone who is positive or who may have loved ones that are positive and are naturally worried about the outcome.”
Information on how many of those who tested positive were vaccinated versus unvaccinated was not made available in the release.
Wednesday’s updated numbers bring the total number of active cases in the Cayman Islands to 517. Information on the numbers of active cases that are symptomatic versus asymptomatic, as well as information on the number of people in isolation was also unavailable.
973 cases are considered to have fully recovered from the virus in Cayman.
“I think the good news is the large majority of us will sail through this. We may have some minor symptoms, some nasal stuffiness, some sore throat, some cough and a fever. But taking some paracetamol and simple measures such as this should see us through the event, especially if we’re vaccinated,” Lee said.
“Most people will suffer with minor symptoms from COVID-19 disease and that is also the benefit of having high vaccination numbers, because those people who are vaccinated are really protected against serious illness and any other poor outcomes.”
To date, there have been 113,448 COVID-19 vaccinations given in total in the Cayman Islands, according to the release. Of these, 56,365 people (79% of 71,106) have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 54,136 (76%) have completed the two-dose course.
Additionally 2,947 people (representing 15% of those over the age of 50) have had a third, or booster, dose.
Of the total number vaccinated, the following is the age group breakdown for first doses, of which 49% are female:
- 78% 12 to <18 years of age
- 83% 18 to <30
- 89% 30 to <40
- 95% 40 to <50
- 98% 50 to <60
- 99% 60 and over
Lee also addressed the length of time it has taken recently to provide test result information.
“I know that some people are somewhat disgruntled that they have not received tests as quickly as they would like. Public Health did aim to phone everybody that’s positive within 24 hours, however with the growing number of cases it’s becoming increasingly difficult,” he said.
“As a result, a new process is going to be instituted whereby people who are positive will be sent an email just like those who are negative and along with that email will be instructions that anybody who is a new positive needs to isolate and continue to isolate. Those who are vaccinated: for 10 days and those who are unvaccinated: for 14 days.”
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Why is there no curiosity among the people of GC as to how many vaccinated citizens are among the positive cases?
Ignoring the fact that in many countries with large percentages of vaccinated citizens are seeing more positive cases and deaths from the vaccinated people than the unvaccinated is a disservice to citizens who rely on their leaders to tell them the truth.
This question must be answered. Is the vaccine a failure? If it is a failure, why are the people not being told?
Instead of repeating the79% vaccinated total ad nauseam, Dr Lee needs to give us some meaningful information including how many of these cases were unvaccinated and how many were symptomatic and how are currently in hospital.
It stands to reason in countries with high vaccination rates that the percentage of positives in vaccinated individuals will be higher than in countries (or locations) where lower numbers of people are vaccinated. It’s simple math: if you have 100 people in your country and 80% of them are vaccinated that means 20% are not vaccinated this translates to 80 vaccinated people and 20 unvaccinated people. Covid would infect more vaccinated people because there are more vaxxed than unvaxxed. The vaccine never promised to prevent Covid the goal was and still is to prevent severe illness and death.
Case numbers in Cayman will continue to rise, it is likely the islands will follow the same pattern seen in every other country; a 2-month rapid rise and then a steep decrease in cases. Fortunately, with a high vaccination rate, most people will be protected from the worst effects of Covid and hospitals will not be overwhelmed. But the reality is there will be people who get very sick and some may die. The unvaccinated minority and those with comorbidities are most at risk.
Why are single dose records being published repeatedly, instead of what used to be called, ‘FULLY’ vaccinated?
I thought getting vaccinated was a TWO (2) dose process, or do we now only need one to be, quote, “vaccinated” per this report.