The number of positive COVID cases reported in Cayman has risen steadily since mid-March as government mulls the further lifting of COVID restrictions, with the current regulations due to expire Friday, 29 April.
The mandatory wearing of masks inside public buildings and public transport will remain in effect given the current increase in positive cases, the Ministry of Health said in its weekly situational report, released on 27 April.
Although there has been no significant increase in the number of hospital admissions, the larger number of positive cases means more people are in isolation and unable to attend work or school.
During the week of 17 to 23 April, Public Health counted 460 new COVID-19 cases, compared with 373 positives one week earlier.
The department’s weekly COVID updates ascribed the rise to “gathering events, where no COVID-19 prevention measures were properly implemented, especially the wearing of masks”, such as family get-togethers and other activities over the Easter holidays.
Public Health reminded the public last week that masks remain the most effective tool to control the spread of infection and should be worn during larger events.
Last week, nine COVID patients were in hospital as one new patient was admitted.
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, a total of 262 COVID-19 patients have been admitted to hospital and 27 people have died after contracting the virus.
In line with the slightly growing number of positives, testing has increased since March. Approximately 1,400 tests were carried out in each of the last two weeks, following about 1,000 tests earlier in April.
A third of the tests last week returned positive.
Almost 94% of the population over the age of 5 has received at least one COVID vaccine dose; 90.9% has received two shots; and 35.4% of those eligible has received a third, or booster, dose.
Although the coverage of age groups above 70 is almost 67%, Cayman trails countries like the UK overall, and particularly in younger people.
In the UK the national booster coverage is 67% for those over the age of 12.
Another booster, or fourth dose, is now available in Cayman, predominantly targeting age groups of 70 years or older.
However, this dose is available to anybody above 18 who has had their third shot more than six months ago.
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The disease is endemic, cases are no longer a relevant metric. The nation must move on from thinking mired in the past, and embrace best practises as seen in pragmatic, forward-looking jurisdictions.
Masks protect their users. So those who feel the need to wear a mask should do so, and the balance of the community should be liberated from this outdated policy.
Caymanian society is sadly distinct in its covid psychosis. In other countries people who wish to mask do so, and life goes on. They treat Covid largely as nuisance disease, which is what it is at this point, with some exceptions (which don’t warrant paralyzingly society). We all know even seasonal influenza can be deadly on occasion.
Anyways, for end points to matter, there must be an end. Masks should be optional effective today.
Thank you for sharing what I call ‘Common Sense’!
Why is Cayman lifting restrictions when cases are on the rise???
Please don’t do it!!!
It is time to remove the mask restrictions as suggested by Kimp T and for those very reasons. The entire population is being held hostage at this point and we need to move forward recognizing that the COVID 19 virus and its progeny are here to stay in one variant or another. It must be said that the best defense is to get oneself vaccinated and boosted. The safety and efficacy of the vaccine has been established by medical experts around the world. There is no logical reason for not getting the jab or four – if you haven’t already done so.
The real problem is that the government only has the covid restrictions in place to force unvaccinated persons to get the vaccine, instead of protecting the population! Why is it that unvaccinated persons have to get tested before they are allowed to travel to the Sister Islands, yet vaccinated persons don’t? Isn’t it blatantly obvious by now that vaccinated persons can still contract AND transmit covid? Therefore why is there still discrimination against unvaccinated persons?
There is currently a large spike in Cayman Brac, and since ALL unvaccinated persons have to get tested before traveling there…isn’t that clear evidence that it was transported over there by a VACCINATED person who was not tested?
ALL persons traveling should be required to test before travel. The ONLY relevant concern should be if a person tests positive or negative for covid! Whether a person is vaccinated or not is no longer relevant in stopping the spread. Not sure if it ever was…