5.6% of the population is COVID-positive

New weekly statistics show 5.6% of Cayman’s population is testing positive for COVID-19 as 314 new cases were reported on average each day from 9 to 15 Jan., according to a COVID-19 update released by Public Health on Wednesday.

Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Autilia Newton said the weekly report provides a deep dive into local trends in transmission, testing, hospitalisations and other key data over a seven-day period that would help policymakers with their decision-making.

The report showed 2,200 new cases, equivalent to 3.1% of the population, for the epidemiological week from Sunday to Saturday alone, including 76 new positives in the Sister Islands.

The new cases pushed the number of known active cases to 3,967.

The report showed that the new Omicron variant has quickly overtaken Delta as the dominant strain of the virus in Cayman.

However, Delta cases, believed to be potentially more serious, also increased this month.

During the weekly reporting period two people died. Both were unvaccinated. This brings the total number of COVID deaths since the onset of the pandemic to 15.

Since March 2020, a total of 158 people had to be admitted to hospital for COVID-19 and about 75% of patients were unvaccinated.

By Tuesday, the number of COVID-19 inpatients in Cayman’s hospitals increased to 19, from 15 a day earlier.

During the week covered by the report, 11 people were newly admitted two hospital, two patients required supplemental oxygen, and one patient had to be ventilated in intensive care

However, the report stated that “hospital admissions remain relatively low”.

As of 15 Jan., Cayman had seen 11,049 positive cases in total since the beginning of the pandemic, meaning that about one in six-to-seven people have been infected with the virus at some point.

The newly-reported cases were based on 6,365 PCR tests, which means that more than a third of the tests (34.6%) were positive. The positivity rate is inflated because PCR tests are also used to confirm positive lateral flow tests.

Although 1,165 vaccine booster shots were administered during the week, the report said the booster rate remains low, as only 28% of the population and 32% of over 12-year-olds have received a third shot so far.

General vaccination rates, in contrast, are very high, with 83.2% of the population receiving at least one vaccine dose and 81% fully vaccinated. Among the eligible population of age 12 and older, 92% are fully vaccinated.

Newton said the new weekly report “will empower the government and the community to make decisions, allocate resources and plan based on proven trends in data”.

She added, “For this reason, we are excited to be able to share the full report with the public.”