Health officials have announced 26 new cases of COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands, including one on Cayman Brac – the first case to be reported there since 30 Nov.
In the daily update on cases, Chief Medical Officer (Interim) Dr. Autilia Newton reported that, of the 782 PCR tests conducted between midnight Tuesday, 14 Dec. and midnight Wednesday,15 Dec., there were three positive test results among travellers and 23 from the community.
The new case on Cayman Brac involves a traveller, Faith Hospital confirmed. This brings the total number of cases recorded there to 121, with the new one now the only active case on the Sister Islands.
There are currently 16 COVID-19 patients in hospital, Newton reported.
Vaccinations
As of midnight Wednesday, 58,569 people, accounting for 82% of the estimated population of 71,106, had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 56,860 individuals (80%) were fully vaccinated with two doses.
Additionally, 14,981 people (representing 21% of the total population) had received a booster dose.
At a press conference on Thursday, government officials again pleaded with members of the public who are not yet vaccinated to come forward and be inoculated. In light of one confirmed and 10 suspected Omicron variant cases being reported in Cayman so far, they also urged anyone over the age of 18 who had received the first two doses of a vaccine to get a booster shot, to better protect them from the new strain.
The government announced some new measures to help combat the spread of the highly contagious variant, including requiring bars and nightclubs to close at midnight, and limiting the number of people attending outdoor gatherings. Premier Wayne Panton also urged people to work from home, if possible, although this has not been mandated.
In the statement regarding the latest COVID updates, Public Health announced that there had been a change to how daily cases will be reported, with the statistics now covering a 24-hour timeframe from midnight to midnight, rather than from 8am to 8am.
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