Topic: COVID-19
Cayman reports 36th COVID-related death
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority has reported another COVID-related death, bringing the total number of people in Cayman who have died after testing positive for the disease to 36.
New health chief flags looming spike in COVID cases
A week into his new role as Cayman's Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Gent has said he expects a rise in local COVID transmissions in coming weeks and months.
Schedule released for Moderna boosters
Starting Sunday, 16 Oct., Public Health will be holding vaccination clinics for healthcare workers and people age 70 and above, to receive a Moderna (bivalent) COVID-19 booster.
Moderna COVID booster ready for rollout in Cayman
Starting Monday, 10 Oct., the Moderna bivalent COVID vaccine will be available in Cayman as a booster shot, with anyone 18 or older eligible to be given that jab.
Fifth COVID-related death of month reported
A person with what health officials described as "severe comorbidities" has become the fifth COVID-related death to be reported in the Cayman Islands this month, and the second in a week.
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.
Students at three Brac schools test positive for COVID
Students in three Cayman Brac schools have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting education officials to remind the public and the student population to adhere to Public Health guidelines.
Cayman to get Omicron-specific Moderna booster vaccine
Cayman is set to receive the newly-approved bivalent Moderna vaccine booster, which targets both the Omicron strain and the original COVID-19 virus.
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.
Hyman withdraws from Commonwealth Games after positive COVID test
Caymanian sprinter Kemar Hyman has withdrawn the 2022 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday, 2 Aug., after receiving a positive COVID-19 PCR test.
Daily reporting of COVID numbers to cease
With fewer people opting to undergo confirmatory PCR testing, Public Health has announced it will no longer release daily figures of COVID-19 cases, as the official statistics no longer reflect the actual number of cases on island.
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.
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.
Slowly, shakily, Cayman’s tourism recovery persists
Six months on from the reopening of Cayman’s borders, the islands are attracting around half the number of tourists that were visiting prior to the pandemic.
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.
Missing plea deal stalls COVID-19 breach sentencing
An incomplete plea agreement between prosecutors and the defence counsel has delayed the sentencing hearing of Richard Lonnie Parchment and Mario Abarca Cervera, who...
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.
US set to lift COVID testing entry requirements
US President Joe Biden is set to lift the country's COVID testing requirements on Sunday, a move welcomed by local tourism leaders.
VIDEO: Tourism workers consider merits of returning cruise passengers
As traffic crawls along Seafarers Way in George Town, the streets of the Islands' capital are now packed with tourists. It’s an all-too-familiar sign...
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.
Toddler flies to Jamaica for life-saving treatment after community fundraiser
A 3-year-old child was being flown to Jamaica for life-saving treatment this afternoon, after a rapid community effort to raise funds for the air evacuation.
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.
Cayman had just 5,000 visitors in the year since COVID struck
Cayman had a total of 5,566 stay-over visitors in the year since the pandemic began - about half of what the island would see in a single week during normal times.
Fresh vaccine supply set to arrive on BA flight
Cayman is set to receive 11,700 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines on Wednesday's British Airways flight, Governor Martyn Roper has confirmed.
Genome sequencing advances COVID fight
Cayman’s ability to conduct genome sequencing is not only a pivotal leap forward for the local COVID response, it could also help give the jurisdiction the edge it needs to be added to the UK’s ‘green’ travel list.
Pfizer vaccine approved for 12-15 year olds in Cayman
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved to be administered to 12-15 year olds in Cayman.
Cayman begins genome sequencing to determine strains of COVID
The Health Services Authority has commenced genome sequencing of local COVID-19 cases making Cayman the first in the region, outside of the Caribbean Public Health Agency, to conduct such testing, Governor Martyn Roper has said.
Cayman hits 70% vaccination rate
As of today, 3 June, 45,195 people in Cayman (70% of an estimated population of 65,000) have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the daily update from the Ministry of Health.
Lines at clinic as COVID vaccines expected to run out before next batch arrives
With prize-draw incentives, the impending expiration of Cayman's vaccine supply, and the likelihood of mandatory vaccinations for work-permit holders, residents are continuing to line up for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Mandatory vaccination will not apply to Caymanians and permanent residents
Premier Wayne Panton said his government is not inclined to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for Caymanians and permanent residents.
Public Health offering 2nd AstraZeneca doses
Medical personnel will be administering second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Saturday, 29 May, at the airport vaccination clinic, the Public Health Department announced today.
The issue explained: The science behind the vaccines
We answer some of the key questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, how they work and their likely impact in helping reopen Cayman.
Ebanks Garcia: Cayman-administered vaccines ‘easier to verify’
Former Travel Cayman Director Tasha Ebanks Garcia has defended newly amended COVID-19 protocols easing the travel process for individuals vaccinated at the Health Services Authority, saying it is easier to verify those passengers’ jabs.
The story in data: COVID, vaccinations and the road to reopening
From the effectiveness of vaccines, the rate of spread of the virus and the threshold for ‘herd immunity’, a wealth of data is emerging on COVID in Cayman and across the globe. We look at what the statistics are telling us about the state of the fight against the pandemic.
PCR tests for HSA-vaccinated travellers no longer required
Government has removed the PCR testing requirement for returning travellers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination with the Health Services Authority.
American Airlines poised for Cayman return, expects Caribbean tourism boom
American Airlines is scheduling more flights to the Caribbean this summer than it did during a record-breaking 2019, and is poised to return to Cayman as soon as feasible once the borders reopen.
Lee: UK variant found in ‘large number’ of COVID cases
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has said the COVID-19 UK variant has been detected in a "large number" of Cayman's coronavirus cases.
Crosstalk catch-up: Dr. John Lee on ‘reinvigorated’ vaccination drive
Cayman's Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee appeared on today's Crosstalk to discuss Cayman's vaccination drive and what it means for plans to re-open the Islands' borders.
UPDATED: Half of Monday’s 12 positive COVID cases found at exit screening
Since Friday, 12 travellers have tested positive for coronavirus, with about half of these results coming from people at the end of their quarantine, according to the daily COVID-19 update from Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee.
New data from Bermuda, England confirms vaccine effectiveness
New data and reports from Bermuda and the UK have confirmed the real-life effectiveness of vaccines in protecting against severe illness and death.
Governor asks UK to include OTs in vaccine passport app
Cayman should be included in any vaccine passport project used by the UK, Governor Martyn Roper announced today.
70% of Cayman’s over-16s vaccinated
In its daily update, issued this afternoon (4 May), the Ministry of Health said that 70% of Cayman's population aged over 16 have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Pregnant women now encouraged to get vaccinated
The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its guidance and now recommend that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as non-pregnant women.
Leader of the Opposition adds his voice to vaccination push
Leader of the Opposition Roy McTaggart is encouraging everyone across Cayman who has not yet been vaccinated to do so "as soon as possible".
In...
183 vaccines delivered in last 24 hours
Just 183 vaccines have been administered in the past 24 hours, according to the daily COVID-19 update issued by the Ministry of Health.
Seven travellers test positive for COVID-19
According to the daily update issued by the Ministry of Health on Monday, seven people have tested positive for COVID-19, out of 561 tests carried out since Friday.
After 13 months closed, Westin resort plans June reopening
The Westin resort on Seven Mile Beach, which has been closed to guests since March, is preparing to reopen for staycations from June.
Turks and Caicos makes COVID vaccines mandatory for work-permit holders
Covid-19 vaccinations have been made mandatory for work permit holders in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Prospect man to face court for quarantine breaches
Aaron Ronaldo Montemayor is expected to attend the Summary Court next month to answer charges of quarantine breach.
Governor urges more jabs as vaccination numbers taper off
Governor Martyn Roper has said the drop in COVID-19 vaccinations is concerning as he reiterated his call for more members of the public to get the jab.
8,000 more adults must be vaccinated for 80% coverage
Cayman has administered a total of 60,637 vaccines with 33,544 people having received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This equates to 52% of Cayman estimated population of 65,000.
More than 100 vaccinated at youth drive
Public health officials say 123 people aged between 16 and 24 received their COVID-19 vaccines at an inoculation drive and street party on Friday.
11 test positive for COVID-19
Out of a batch of 1,004 tests, 11 travellers returned positive results for COVID-19, according to the chief medical officer's report on Tuesday.
Police investigate quarantine breach
Police are investigating an alleged quarantine breach involving a traveller isolating at home and one other person, according to a press release issued on behalf of Travel Cayman.
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.
Four travellers test positive for COVID
Cayman has registered four new cases of COVID -19 in its latest round of routine screening tests, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has reported.
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.
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.
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.
Hospitals say COVID delayed sending of outstanding bills
Patients recently have been receiving a flurry of hospital bills that date back months, and even years, from CTMH Doctors Hospital and the Health Services Authority.
Open Cayman to vaccinated visitors
While I understand the premier’s first responsibility regarding COVID-19 is the safety of the Cayman people, I do question why decisions seem to have...
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.
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.
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".
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.
