As the number of COVID cases steadily trends upwards on Cayman Brac, Sister Islands’ Public Health nurse Kedine Hyde is reminding residents there not to be complacent with their health and that of the community.
Adding to concerns, are the number of the isolation breaches currently under investigation by Travel Cayman – the majority of which happened in the Brac.
“I’m asking everyone to continue wearing their masks to protect each other and don’t be selfish… So for example, even if you have COVID or have had it before, you may have mild symptoms, but you never know who may… have a severe response to it and may require hospitalisation,” Hyde said.
She is advising residents on all three islands to heed safety protocols. She encouraged people to test regularly, especially on the Sister Islands, to prevent a rapid spread of the disease, given the size of the population.
“You can help to protect your own family and the community because we are small… One case may not seem like much to other places; because of our numbers and the close nature of how we operate here that one [case] can escalate into us having that uprise,” she said in a recent interview with the Cayman Compass on the Brac.
Total cases just shy of 1,000 mark
On 26 May, the Sister Islands reported 6 new cases, leaving total cases since the beginning of the pandemic at 949.
There were 52 active cases in the Sister Islands, as at that date; Hyde stressed the necessity for those isolating to follow the rules and stay home.
Also, she said, anyone exhibiting symptoms should immediately get tested.
The latest figures indicate there are currently 1,650 estimated active cases of COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands, according to the Health Ministry.
Eleven people are currently hospitalised for COVID-19 related causes and, of these, four are unvaccinated.
The 7-day rolling average number of positive cases for 26 May is 98.
Hyde said the flu clinic works closely with Travel Cayman to log and monitor people testing positive.
She said, for the most part, the community on the Brac has been compliant, however she said there are some individuals who opt not to adhere to the rules.
“Some persons may even not report [a positive test] until it’s time for them to report to work and they need to have a proof of test and that’s when you may hear ‘oh, I tested positive from such time’. The onus is on each and every one of us to take the responsibility to report in a timely manner and then to follow the necessary COVID protocols so that we can safeguard our community,” she added.
Testing for COVID is ongoing and the flu clinic, located next to the Aston Rutty Civil Centre on the Bluff, she said, operates Mondays to Fridays from 9 to noon, and then on weekends and public holidays from 1pm to 2pm.
Hyde added that, as an extra measure, the flu clinic does drive-thru testing and the team also does on-site testing at the Brac Reef Hotel on Fridays.
Related Videos
