Topic: coronavirus
Dr. John Lee: Bermuda’s spike in COVID cases ‘really worrying’
According to Bermuda's Ministry of Health, the territory recorded 108 positive COVID-19 cases on Monday.
12 new COVID cases in latest results
Of the 808 COVID-19 tests carried out since Friday, a dozen travellers have returned positive results, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported Monday.
When will enough people be vaccinated to reopen Cayman’s borders?
Cayman's vaccine rollout is progressing fast, but even that may not be enough to quickly reach the targets currently set for a border reopening.
Police investigate two new home quarantine breaches
Two new quarantine breaches are now being investigated by police, one of which has led to the offending travellers being moved to a supervised quarantine facility, Travel Cayman reported Wednesday.
Seven test positive for COVID-19
Seven people have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the chief medical officer's daily report.
New quarantine requirements enacted
From today, Cayman's new quarantine requirements for arriving vaccinated travellers are in effect.
Cayman Airways staff in quarantine after safety protocol breach
Cayman Airways flight attendants have been placed into quarantine and are under investigation following an inflight safety protocol breach.
41% of Cayman’s total population receive first vaccine dose
According to Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee's daily COVID-19 update, 41% – or 26,321 – of the jurisdiction's total population have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule 22 March – 10 April
COVID-19 vaccination schedule 22 March – 10 April for residents of the Cayman Islands
EU threatens tougher vaccine export curbs in dispute with UK, U.S.
The European Union on Wednesday threatened to take tougher measures to curb the export of COVID-19 vaccines, escalating an ongoing row with Britain and the United States over their restrictive handling of vaccine deliveries to the 27-nation bloc.
1,761 COVID-19 vaccines delivered on Saturday
In Monday's COVID report, the Chief Medical Officer announced a significant milestone in government's efforts to vaccinate 70-80% of the population.
British Airways calls for vaccinated people to travel without restrictions
British Airways's new boss said vaccinated people should be allowed to travel without restriction and non-vaccinated people with a negative COVID-19 test, as he set out his ideas for a travel restart a month before the UK government finalises its plans.
WHO urges world not to halt vaccinations as AstraZeneca shot divides Europe
The World Health Organization appealed to countries on Monday not to pause vaccination campaigns after two more European nations and one in Asia joined a handful which have suspended use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine over safety fears.
Regulations on 10-day quarantine published
The Cayman Islands government has gazetted updated regulations governing arrangements for a 10-day quarantine period for arriving travellers.
COVID field hospital demobilised
The emergency COVID-19 field hospital at the Family Life Centre, which was set up in May last year in case coronavirus cases swamped local hospitals, has been demobilised.
A year of COVID-19
A year ago, on 12 March, a solemn-faced Premier Alden McLaughlin announced at a press briefing that Cayman had its first COVID-19 case.
One charged for two alleged quarantine breaches
One person has been charged with two breaches of quarantine, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service confirmed Thursday.
Almost 1,000 get health insurance support
Just under 1,000 displaced Caymanian workers have received assistance through government's Health Insurance Premiums Payment Assistance Programme, Health Minister Dwayne Seymour has confirmed.
Governor: Quarantine breach prosecutions ‘complex’
In the wake of a fresh quarantine breach this week and a lack of convictions for the offence, since last year's high-profile sentencing of Skylar Mack and Vanjae Ramgeet, the Governor stressed it was important to let the judicial process "run its course".
Quarantine shortened to 10 days from 22 March
The mandatory quarantine period will be reduced to 10 days from 22 March, Premier Alden McLaughlin announced Wednesday, as Cayman reached its target of vaccinating more than 90% of the over-60 population.
New quarantine breach reported
Police are investigating another alleged quarantine breach after someone was found visiting a traveller who was isolating at home.
More than quarter of population vaccinated
As of 4 March, 25.5% of the population, or 16,603 people, had received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while 8,805 of those had completed the two-dose course, according to health officials.
Vaccinations open to all residents
From Friday, 5 March, the COVID-19 vaccination will be open to all three stages, starting in alphabetical order, health officials announced today.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule 5 March – 20 March
COVID-19 vaccination will be open to all three stages, starting in Alpha order.
Negative COVID-19 tests now mandatory before arrival in Jamaica
The Jamaican government has issued new travel requirements, which make it mandatory for all people aged 12 and older to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test at least 72 hours before their flight.
Jamaica, Cuba face worst COVID-19 outbreaks yet
While global new infections start to decline, a handful of countries across the Caribbean are suffering their worst outbreaks since the start of the pandemic.
Cayman’s over-60s inch closer to vaccination target
To date, 90% of people aged over 70 and 85% of those over 60 have now had at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported Monday.
Six new COVID-19 positive cases among travellers
A further six people have tested positive for COVID-19 today, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee.
Seven positive COVID-19 cases among travellers
Cayman has recorded seven new positive COVID-19 cases today, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee's daily update.
Premier: Vaccination rate could mean April/May border reopening
Premier Alden McLaughlin says if Cayman's COVID-19 vaccination rate continues at its current pace, the islands' borders could reopen by late April or early May.
Next shipment of COVID vaccines confirmed
Cayman's fourth shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines will arrive on 11 March, Governor Martyn Roper has confirmed.
81% of Cayman’s over-60s receive COVID vaccines
The Cayman Islands is moving closer to its target of vaccinating 90% of its over-60 population, with 81% having received at least one of the two-dose COVID-19 inoculation by Friday.
CARICOM insists on equitable distribution of vaccines
As regional neighbours begin the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, 14 independent CARICOM states have insisted, in a resolution adopted Wednesday, on the equitable distribution of doses.
3 new COVID cases among travellers
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee, in his latest COVID-19 update, reported that of the 500 tests carried out since Friday, three were positive.
CITA bosses meet with government
Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin says he is optimistic that lines of communication between his organisation and the government are opening up.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule 15 February – 6 March
COVID-19 vaccination schedule 15 February - 6 March
15K COVID-19 vaccine doses arrive
Cayman has five new COVID-19 cases, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has confirmed, hours after the arrival of Cayman's largest shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 from the United Kingdom.
Quarantine breaches hotline launched
A new hotline has been launched allowing the public to report suspected quarantine breaches directly to Travel Cayman.
3 new COVID cases amid latest tests
There were three new COVID-19 cases among the latest 331 tests carried out since Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported.
Jamaican business leaders lament fallout from earlier COVID curfew
The Government’s imposition of tougher curfew restrictions in the wake of record one-day coronavirus infections has been cast by business interests as a crippling blow to an already tanking economy that would make recovery much harder.
BA clarifies pre-flight COVID test requirements
Passengers who were barred from boarding a British Airways flight to London last month were mistakenly prevented from flying because check-in staff did not have updated information about pre-flight testing, an airline spokesperson has said.
Britain tightens travel restrictions with hotel quarantine and prison threat
Britain said it would bring in tighter border controls next week against new variants of the coronavirus, requiring hotel quarantine for arrivals and threatening rule-breakers with up to 10 years in jail and fines.
70% of over-60s now vaccinated
As of Monday, 70% of Cayman’s over-60 population had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination, according to health officials.
Cayman declines allotted tranche of vaccines from COVAX
The Cayman Islands government has opted to forego its first tranche of COVAX vaccines allowing thousands of doses to be released to other countries in desperate need of supplies, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has confirmed.
COVID-19 vaccination schedule week of 8th February
The COVID-19 vaccination programme focus for week 8th February is Dose 2 for persons due from Stage 1, Group A, B and C.
14-day quarantine to remain until 90% of over-60s vaccinated
Cayman’s current quarantine and testing requirements will remain in place until 90% of the islands' over-60 population has been vaccinated against COVID-19, Premier Alden McLaughlin announced on Thursday.
Britain explores mixed COVID vaccine shots as variants threaten
British researchers are to explore mixing doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines in a world first trial aimed at finding new ways to swiftly reduce coronavirus infections as new mutated variants emerge.
Passenger not allowed on BA flight after test misunderstanding
A passenger was prevented from boarding last week’s British Airways flight over a misunderstanding on how long prior to the flight he needed to be tested for COVID-19.
Vaccinations cross 10K mark; confirmed cases hit 400
Cayman's total vaccinations passed 10,000 on Tuesday as the country logged two new COVID-19 cases, taking the national tally to 400.
Just over half of over-70s vaccinated
Around 57% of Cayman's over-70 population has received the COVID-19 vaccine, health officials said this week.
Premier: No timeline for reopening
Cayman's March border reopening appears to be off the table, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin, who said government has no timeline when it comes to unlocking Cayman’s borders.
3 new COVID cases among travellers
Of the 339 most recent COVID-19 test results, three were found to be positive, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported on Friday.
Governor’s Office ‘hopeful’ EU-UK vaccine row won’t impact Cayman
Hours before Cayman's second batch of COVID-19 vaccines were due to arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport on Thursday, the Governor's Office said it was hopeful that the future supply of vaccines would not be disrupted by an ongoing row between the European Union and the UK over the distribution of the inoculations.
Cayman donates remaining South Korean test kits
The last remaining batch of Cayman's Seasun PCR testing kits will be donated to Jamaica and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad, the Health Ministry confirmed Wednesday.
Housebound patients receive vaccines
As part of Cayman's national vaccination programme, 76 homebound patients received their COVID-19 inoculation on Tuesday, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said in a release issued Wednesday.
UK plans tough new border measures to combat coronavirus
Britain will announce new tougher border measures on Wednesday to stop new variants of COVID-19 getting into the country, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said as he promised to deliver a roadmap out of lockdowns that have shuttered much of the economy.
Johnson: English lockdown set to last until at least March
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated Wednesday the COVID-19 lockdown in England would last until 8 March when schools could start to reopen as the government announced new measures to clamp down on travel to and from Britain.
Hospitalised COVID-19 patient improves, one new case announced
Cayman's lone hospitalised COVID-19 patient will be released from medical care today, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee confirmed.
Lee confirms new COVID-19 variant in three Cayman samples
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has confirmed detection of the new UK COVID-19 variant in three test samples from the Cayman Islands.
UK to unveil hotel quarantine plans, public told not to book vacations
Britain will announce on Tuesday whether it will bring in mandatory quarantine in hotels for some or all arrivals, the country's coronavirus vaccination minister said as he warned the public not to book summer vacations.
Vaccinations move to Stage 2 this week
Vaccinations under stage two of government's national COVID-19 inoculation programme will begin Wednesday, the Public Health Department has announced.
Online exhibit recalls ‘Lockdown Experiences’
During Cayman’s COVID-19 lockdown, people across the islands kept some visual records of the experience, capturing – in technicolour or black and white – moments that in normal times would seem surreal.
COVID-19 patient hospitalised; in stable condition
A traveller who tested positive for COVID-19 has been admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at the Health Services Authority from quarantine, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee confirmed Saturday.
Cayman checks for UK COVID variant
Cayman has sent samples overseas for testing to detect the new UK COVID-19 variant, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has confirmed.
Outdoor public gatherings extended to 1,000
New regulations are doubling the number of people that can gather at outdoor public places, and extending restrictions on travel between the three Cayman Islands for three months, until 15 April.
Too early to say when COVID-19 lockdown will end, Johnson says
It is too early to say when the national coronavirus lockdown in England will end, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday, as daily deaths from COVID-19 reach new highs and hospitals become increasingly stretched.
New COVID-19 variant defeats plasma treatment, may reduce vaccine efficacy
The new COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa can evade the antibodies that attack it in treatments using blood plasma from previously recovered patients, and may reduce the efficacy of the current line of vaccines, scientists said on Wednesday.
One new positive COVID case reported
Of the 444 COVID-19 tests carried out since Monday, one positive case has been recorded, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said.
Almost 5,000 receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Cayman's COVID-19 inoculations neared the 5,000 mark Monday as the national vaccination programme to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech jab entered week two.
Gov’t mulls tourism stipend increase
Government is considering increasing its tourism stipend, Finance Minister Roy McTaggart has confirmed.
Lee: COVID-19 vaccinations near 4,500
Close to 4500 people have rolled up their sleeves for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 jab in the first week of Cayman's national vaccination plan, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee shared Saturday.
Gov’t changes course on vaccination plan
Government has shifted gears in its national vaccination plan opting now to administer all its available Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines in its ongoing inoculation programme.
