Topic: coronavirus
Ministry of Health monitoring new COVID variant
The Ministry of Health, Environment & Sustainability, together with the Public Health department, has confirmed it is monitoring the emergence of a new COVID...
Top doctor tells court tough rules were needed against COVID-19
A top public health officer on Friday insisted that tough measures were needed amid fears that a potential widespread outbreak of COVID-19 three years ago could have overwhelmed Cayman's health services.
Schoolboy’s landmark COVID-19 human rights court case starts
The court heard arguments that an 8-year-old schoolboy's human rights were trampled when he was forced into a month-long COVID-19 lockdown.
CMO: New Omicron ‘Pirola’ variant likely to reach Cayman
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent has said it is only a matter of time before the new Omicron variant BA.2.86, unofficially called 'Pirola', is discovered in Cayman, although no cases of it have been formally detected.
‘Stay home if sick’ warning as respiratory illnesses rise
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent has said that respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, has increased in the Cayman Islands, and he is advising those with symptoms to remain at home.
Moderna vaccine booster available to over-12s
The Moderna bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine is now available to anyone aged 12 and over, Cayman's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent announced this week.
As COVID cases surge in China, Cayman assesses risk
While China grapples with a sharp spike in COVID cases, following the recent relaxation of its restrictive zero-COVID policy, Cayman's new chief medical officer is monitoring how events overseas might impact the islands' response to handling the virus.
Ministry refutes social media COVID-19 XBB variant gossip
The Ministry of Health & Wellness has advised the community that information relating to the COVID-19 “XBB Variant” that has been circulating widely via What’s App and other social media sites was not issued by the Ministry of Health & Wellness.
A very sneezy Christmas in store amid ‘viral siege’
It is going to be a sniffly Christmas for many in Cayman amid a 'viral siege' that is leaving doctors' offices full and pharmacy aisles empty.
Officials stress need for boosters as new COVID death reported
As the Cayman Islands recorded its 35 death due to COVID-19 complications, new Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Gent has called on the public to make use of the booster programme that has commenced.
‘Summer exodus’ sparks COVID surge debate
Could the Cayman Islands be headed for a surge of new coronavirus cases as families return to the island following a ‘summer exodus’?
What the ‘no-corona club’ can teach us about the pandemic
The shrinking membership of the “no-corona club” includes people who have been vaccinated and and those obsessive about hygiene. But it also features some who haven’t been jabbed at all and workers who have been exposed day-after-day for almost three years. Is there something else that connects them all?
Three COVID-related deaths reported
The Heath Services Authority has confirmed three COVID-related deaths: one on Sunday and two last Thursday.
Brac COVID peak ‘expected’ with return to schools, says CMO
Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton says an increase in COVID cases is to be expected and the public should not be alarmed by the jump in cases on Cayman Brac.
Tourism leaders look to high season amid global economic uncertainty
Local tourism leaders say they are looking to brighter days ahead, as they ramp up efforts to get Cayman bookings back on track to make the most of some much needed tourist spend, now that Cayman's COVID travel restrictions are a thing of the past.
Ditching COVID rules will ‘jump start’ tourism
Tourism leaders are predicting a packed high season that could “jump start” the Cayman Islands economy following the decision to drop the remaining COVID-19 regulations.
Cayman lifts COVID travel restrictions
The Cayman Islands government has announced it is dropping all its remaining travel-related COVID restrictions, meaning travellers will no longer be required to obtain permission from Travel Cayman to enter the islands and unvaccinated tourists will be able to come here without having to quarantine.
Cayman set to announce COVID regulation changes
Premier Wayne Panton, on Friday, is expected to announce new changes to the remaining COVID-19 regulations, a Government Information Services notice has said.
More hospitalisations amid lower official COVID numbers
The latest Public Health update on COVID-19 indicates that hospitalisations have increased, even though the number of people testing positive in PCR tests has fallen.
CDC drops COVID-19 programme for cruise ships
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended its COVID-19 programme for cruise ships.
Health minister tests positive for COVID
Minister of Health Sabrina Turner has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement released by the Office of the Premier.
BA.5 Omicron sub-variant detected in Cayman for first time
Public Health has detected the BA.5 sub-variant of the COVID Omicron strain, which has led to a surge in infections, and re-infections, worldwide, in the Cayman Island for the first time.
Premier Wayne Panton tests positive for COVID-19
Cayman Islands Premier Wayne Panton has tested positive for the coronavirus, government officials said Tuesday.
One new COVID-related death reported as cases rise by 15%
Public Health has reported one new death related to COVID-19, according to its latest weekly report, which indicated a 15% increase in cases.
Newton: Timing right to lift COVID restrictions
As Cayman gets set to relax key travel restrictions, interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton says with local COVID cases trending downward, the islands are in a good position to lift pre-arrival testing.
Quarantine exit testing to end
Starting tomorrow, 30 June, those ending the required quarantine period after having tested positive for COVID will no longer need an exit test to end their isolation.
Opposition: Lifting of restrictions ‘reasonable first step’
Leader of the Opposition Roy McTaggart has welcomed the upcoming lifting of the mask mandate and pre-arrival COVID testing, but is calling on government to deliver a timeline on plans to remove remaining restrictions, including a ban on unvaccinated tourists.
Mask mandate, pre-arrival COVID tests dropped
From 30 June, travellers to the Cayman Islands will no longer be required to provide a pre-arrival COVID-19 test and a mandated requirement to wear masks in indoor public areas will be lifted, according to new regulations released by government Friday evening.
Cabinet mulls lifting mask mandate, pre-arrival testing
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has said changes to government's COVID-19 regulations are on the way and many in the community will be "happy" with what is to come.
CITA: Mask mandate, COVID regulations impeding tourism
Tourism chiefs are calling on government to drop Cayman’s mask mandate and a requirement for incoming airline passengers to obtain travel authorisations from Travel Cayman, which they say are a deterrent to travellers.
Governor: Mask mandate removal a government decision
Governor Martyn Roper has acknowledged concerns within the community about the continued mask mandate, but stated the ultimate decision on the matter remains with government.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule June 2022
The Public Health Department has published the latest schedule for the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for June 2022.
Cayman’s COVID travel rules extended
Cabinet has extended the COVID regulations governing travel until the end of next month, according to an update posted on Thursday.
Cayman back on New York Times COVID hot spots list as cases spike
The Cayman Islands has once again been added to The New York Times COVID-19 hot spots list, ranking seventh in the world in cases per 100,000 residents over the last seven days.
COVID costs Cayman $333 million
Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has cost the Cayman Islands government at least $333 million, an auditor general’s report has found.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule May 2022
The Public Health Department has published the latest schedule for the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for May 2022.
Restrictions on outdoor gatherings lifted, mask mandates remains
Under new COVID-19 regulations, the 1,000-person limit on outdoor public gatherings has been lifted, but the indoor mask mandate remains in place.
COVID cases rise as government considers lifting restrictions
The number of positive COVID cases reported in Cayman has risen steadily since mid-March as government mulls the further lifting of COVID restrictions.
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders tests positive for COVID
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation, a government statement confirmed Monday.
Chamber calls on government to scrap mask mandate
The Chamber of Commerce is appealing to Cabinet to lift its mandate on the wearing of masks, citing Cayman’s high vaccination rate and low hospitalisation numbers.
Governor Roper tests positive for COVID
Governor Martyn Roper confirmed Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Health Minister goes mask-less in Little Cayman health centre tour
A recent video report showing Health Minister Sabrina Turner touring the Little Cayman health centre without a mask is raising eyebrows in the community as government continues to reiterate mask mandates.
Fourth COVID vaccine dose now available
A fourth dose, or second booster, of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available in Cayman, according to Public Health.
One more death attributed to COVID
Public Health in its latest weekly update reported that one more person, who was fully vaccinated and suffering from "severe co-morbidities", has died from COVID-related causes.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule April/May 2022
The Public Health Department has published the latest schedule for the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for April 2022.
26th death associated with COVID
Public Health on Friday reported the death of another elderly patient with COVID-19, bringing the total number of people in Cayman who have died after contracting the virus to 26.
Travel Cayman employee investigated for breach of quarantine
A member of the Travel Cayman team has been ticketed by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service for an incident allegedly involving a breach of quarantine, according to the Ministry of Border Control and Labour.
Cayman’s COVID death toll rises to 23
Cayman's COVID-19 deaths increased by two over the last week taking the overall death toll tally linked to the virus to 23, Health officials have confirmed.
Isolation and quarantine exit testing centres update hours
The Public Health Department has announced new operating hours effective Friday March 11, 2022 for the Isolation/Quarantine Exit & Positive LFT Confirmation PCR Testing Centres.
COVID-related deaths increase to 21
Cayman's COVID-19 death toll rose by three on Wednesday, as health officials confirmed a new death over the last week due to coronavirus complications and two previous deaths that have now been linked to the virus.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule March 2022
The Public Health Department has published the latest schedule for the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for March 2022.
Cayman records 18th COVID-related death
An unvaccinated patient is Cayman's latest COVID-related death.
Children’s vaccinations key to avoiding prolonged isolation and repeat testing
Avoiding lengthy quarantine and isolation periods, along with removing the necessity for repeated lateral flow tests, are among the top reasons for parents in Cayman to consider vaccinating their 5-to-11 year olds, according to two local paediatricians.
Three COVID cases reported at Brac care home
Three new COVID cases have been reported at a nursing home on Cayman Brac.
COVID court challenge could open the floodgates
A human rights challenge to Cayman’s COVID-19 rules could set a precedent that opens the floodgates for hundreds of similar cases from people forced to isolate for long periods after contracting the virus.
Cayman’s COVID rules challenged by mum and son in historic test case
An 8-year-old school boy who was forced to isolate at home for almost a month after contracting COVID-19 is at the centre of an historic test case challenging Cayman’s pandemic suppression policies.
Vaccination clinics for 5-11 year olds begin Saturday
Children aged 5-11 will be able to get their COVID-19 vaccines at clinics across Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands starting from Saturday, 26 Feb.
Cayman immunity data shows waning impact of vaccines
Early data from a new COVID immunity test appears to confirm the waning impact of vaccines over time.
COVID-19 mandates lifted for gyms
Those entering gyms and other indoor sporting facilities are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination, or a negative PCR test.
New COVID cases fewer than 1,000 a week
Positive COVID tests continued to drop in Cayman last week, with less than 1,000 weekly new cases detected for the first time in a month.
Government targets vaccine booster rate of at least 60%
The Cayman Islands is looking at another vaccine threshold to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions – this time for booster shots.
New COVID cases continue to drop
Newly reported COVID cases are continuing to fall, with the Public Health Department recording 48 cases on Sunday, 13 Feb., compared to 89 cases on Saturday and 103 on Friday.Newly reported COVID cases are continuing to fall, with the Public Health Department reporting 48 cases on Sunday, 13 Feb., compared to the 89 cases recorded on Saturday and 103 on Friday.
Children’s COVID vaccine to arrive Thursday
The children's dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be arriving in Cayman on Thursday's British Airways flight and will be open for use for all kids 5 -11 on island, Governor Martyn Roper has confirmed.
Cayman registers first case of ‘Stealth Omicron’
Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton has confirmed Cayman's first case of the new Omicron sub-variant BA.2, which has been dubbed 'Stealth Omicron'.
Vaccinations for 5-to-11 year olds to arrive in Cayman ‘in a few weeks’
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez has said vaccinations for children aged five to 11 will be here in "a few weeks".
Are you immune to COVID? New test has the answers
Compass journalist James Whittaker rolled up his sleeve and took a new test which promises to quantify your immunity level to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, in 7 minutes.
Relentless COVID staff shortages challenge small businesses
With almost 6,000 people – just short of 10% of the population – in quarantine on any given day, the months-long COVID outbreak is causing a wave of staff shortages that is stretching small businesses to breaking point.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule February 2022
The Public Health Department has published the latest schedule for the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for February 2022.
86-year-old dies from COVID-related causes, as Cayman reaches ‘peak’ of outbreak
An 86-year-old woman has passed away from COVID-related causes, according to Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, speaking on the Compass' weekly talk show 'The Resh Hour'.
PCR exit testing guidelines relaxed
People in isolation who are still COVID-19 positive in their exit tests will have a shorter time to wait to be retested under a new screening regime announced by Public Health on Wednesday.
More vaccine clinics planned for vulnerable 5-11 year olds
Public Health is planning to hold more COVID vaccine clinics for at-risk 5-11 year olds after holding its first clinic over the weekend.
Public Health PCR testing clinics schedule
The Public Health Department has announced that effective Tuesday 1st February 2022, the hours of operation for PCR testing walk-in clinics at Ed Bush Sports Complex and Bodden Town Civic Centre will be held from 1 – 3pm daily for exit isolation and confirmation lateral flow PCR testing.
