Topic: COVID-19
Compass in times of crisis
In the newspaper’s 60-year history, it has always been a trusted source of news to inform the people of the Cayman Islands.
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Limited COVID-19 vaccines now available as cases surge in US
Limited supplies of the new COVID-19 vaccine are available in Cayman, with priority given to those within vulnerable and high-risk groups.
Privy Council rules on retirement home worker’s COVID sacking
The Privy Council has ruled that a legal impediment to a Pines Retirement Home worker challenging her sacking did not breach human rights.
Privy Council hears case of Pines worker fired for refusing COVID vaccine
The UK’s Privy Council has heard an appeal brought by a former Pines Retirement Home staffer who challenged her dismissal after she was sacked for allegedly refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and bringing the virus into the care home.
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...
Cayman’s COVID-19 policy was ‘a stab in the dark’, lawyer claims
Cayman's COVID-19 policy was a "stab in the dark" a lawyer claimed at a Grand Court civil hearing before Justice Jalil Asif on Monday.
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.
HSA refused as ‘interested party’ in COVID-19 quarantine case
Cayman's biggest healthcare provider was refused 'interested party' status in a COVID-19 case involving a schoolboy's quarantine.
Court considers HSA link to boy’s month-long COVID lockdown
In the case of a schoolboy on lockdown for about a month during the COVID-19 crisis, a ruling will be made next Thursday on a bid to introduce the Health Services Authority as an interested party.
Study: Cruise-free harbour during COVID led to larger fish population
A two-year study of the Grand Cayman's George Town harbour area, which began immediately after the strict local COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, has shown that the fish population increased dramatically in the absence of cruise ships and other marine activities.
COVID boosters now on island, roll-out in the works
Cayman's long awaited supply of the COVID-19 booster is now on island and will be available for public distribution soon, Health officials have confirmed.
Public Health monitoring rise in respiratory illnesses
The Public Health Department says it is monitoring an increase in respiratory illnesses in the Cayman Islands.
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.
Legal battle ensues over dismissal of unvaccinated Pines care worker
A care worker who was fired by the Pines retirement home for refusing to take a COVID-19 vaccine is at the centre of a protracted court dispute over the employment rights of charity workers.
COVID testing cost Cayman a million dollars a month in 2022
Cayman spent $12.1 million testing for the COVID-19 virus last year, five times more than the original budget of $2.4 million, lawmakers heard this week.
Cayman drops mandatory vaccinations for work-permit holders
Effective today, 9 June, the Cayman Islands government is dropping one of the last remaining COVID-19 restrictions – a requirement for certain non-Caymanian residents to be vaccinated against the virus.
Hospital lifts ban on visiting COVID patients
The Cayman Islands Hospital has dropped its ban on COVID patients receiving visitors, as well as requirements for everyone to wear masks on hospital premises and for patients to undergo testing for the virus prior to being admitted.
‘It broke my heart’: Families still banned from visiting COVID patients
More than three years after the pandemic began, and with people still being admitted to hospital with COVID-19, visitors remain banned from seeing patients with the virus, unless in exceptional circumstances, under Health Services Authority policy.
Fired Pines Retirement Home worker’s rights breached, judge rules
A judge has ruled the constitutional rights and freedoms of a care worker who was fired for not having a COVID-19 vaccine were breached when her unfair dismissal case was rejected.
No cases of new Omicron strain recorded in Cayman
To date no cases of the latest variant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 has been recorded locally, National Epidemiologist Rachel Corbett has confirmed.To date no cases of the latest variant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 has been recorded locally, National Epidemiologist Rachel Corbett has confirmed.
Ombudsman: Bank ‘excessive’ in COVID requirements for staff
CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank (Cayman) was "excessive" in how it dealt with information it gathered about its employees' COVID-19 vaccination status and PCR test results after staff returned to their workplaces in 2021, Ombudsman Sharon Roulstone has ruled.
20 hospitalised with COVID in March, 1 death reported
According to the latest Ministry of Health update, one COVID-positive person died and 20 with the virus were admitted to hospital during March.
Gov’t makes $159 million more in 2022 than pre-COVID
The Cayman Islands government made $159.2 million more in 2022 than 2019, and $80.3 million more than it projected, according to unaudited financial results released this week.
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.
COVID testing clinics to close, reporting requirement dropped
Starting 1 March, the Public Health Department will no longer require confirmation PCR testing for COVID-19 cases, marking its strongest push yet to return to ‘normal’ and move away from the pandemic.
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.
Couple pleads guilty to quarantine breach
A man and a woman accused of breaching Cayman’s COVID-19 quarantine regulations, by eating lunch too closely together while the man was quarantining at his home, have both entered guilty pleas before the Summary Court.
Travel Cayman, quarantine cost government over $15 million
Over the last two years the Cayman Islands government has spent over $15 million in operational costs for Travel Cayman and local quarantine facilities, an Auditor General report has revealed.
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.
‘Miracle’ child thanks Cayman after COVID recovery
After a three-month struggle to recover from a life-threatening condition believed to be caused by COVID-19, 3-year-old Imani Hanson is back home with a simple message for the people of Cayman: “Thank you.”
CSEC exams postponed by three weeks
Local students, along with their regional counterparts, have been given an extra three weeks to prepare for the written portion of the 2022 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).
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.
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.
Government eases quarantine restrictions for some travellers
In the latest change to COVID-19 regulations, the government has removed a requirement to quarantine for vaccinated travellers arriving from countries with less than a 60% vaccination rate or whose vaccinations cannot be securely verified.
Unvaccinated cruise ship passengers won’t be allowed to disembark in Cayman
Unvaccinated cruise ship passengers, 12-years and older, will not be allowed to disembark while in Cayman, even if they have a medical exemption, according to Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan.
Cayman should accept visitors with ‘natural immunity’
Has common sense gone out the window? I had to laugh when I read that the Cayman Islands are soon going to allow cruises...
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.
Doctors warn of “big increase” in child mental health issues since COVID
Paediatricians in Cayman are reporting a significant increase in child mental health issues over the last two years.
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.
Positive COVID-19 passenger jailed for four months in ‘worst case so far’
A woman who boarded a plane to Cayman, despite testing positive for COVID-19 and showing visible signs of the virus, has been jailed for four months for breaching Cayman's COVID-19 entry requirements.
Governor wishes the Queen ‘speedy recovery’ from COVID
Governor Martyn Roper has added his voice to others around the globe, wishing Queen Elizabeth a "speedy recovery" from COVID.
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.
United Airlines resumes Cayman routes after two-year hiatus
On Saturday, four United Airlines aircraft arrived in Cayman for the first time since local borders were closed in 2020.
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".
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'.
Education minister back home, in ‘good spirits’ after hospital stay
Education Minister Juliana O'Connor-Connolly has been discharged from hospital after spending almost a week under medical care since testing positive for COVID-19.
How to count days in isolation when testing positive for COVID-19
Public Health guidelines for counting the number of days in isolation when testing positive for COVID-19.
21 COVID patients in hospital
Twenty-four patients are in hospital with COVID-19, the highest single-day tally so far, according to the latest Public Health statistics.
COVID stipends to be considered for gyms
Gyms and other indoor sporting facilities may become eligible for financial assistance after struggling to keep their doors open as memberships dwindle in response to COVID-19 restrictions.
More than 6,000 active COVID cases in Cayman
As of this past weekend, more than 6,000 people, or one in 12 out of the total population in Cayman, were in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.
UK to drop COVID testing for vaccinated travellers
Fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the United Kingdom from 11 Feb. will no longer be required to take a COVID-19 test, Britain's transport minister Grant Shapps announced Monday.
Protestors gather against COVID-19 regulations
More than two dozen people gathered outside the Governor's residence, along West Bay Road on Saturday, in protest of mandatory vaccinations and government imposed COVID-19 regulations.
Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated lead spike in COVID hospitalisations
At last count some 17 individuals remain in hospital with COVID-19 complications most of whom are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton has said.
Travellers required to take 3 LFT tests in 6 days
Revised travel regulations stipulate that incoming vaccinated travellers to Cayman are now required to take certified lateral flow tests two, five and seven days after arriving on island. Previously, they had to take tests two, five and 10 days after landing here.
Schoolboy joins COVID battle by building home-made air purifiers
An 11-year-old schoolboy in Cayman is building do-it-yourself air purifiers to help cleanse indoor areas of airborne virus particles, as well as smoke, pollen, dust and other allergens.
COVID-positive O’Connor-Connolly to be airlifted from Brac
Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, who was confirmed as COVID-positive earlier this week, is being airlifted from Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac to the Cayman Islands Hospital for observation and treatment.
Quarantine period reduced for COVID
The amount of time people with COVID must spend in quarantine before becoming eligible for an exit test has been cut to seven days for vaccinated people and 10 days for those who have not been vaccinated.
COVID case found among Cuban migrants who landed on Brac
One of six Cuban migrants who have been taken into custody by Customs and Border Control has tested positive for COVID-19.
PCR testing expands to other districts
In response to delays and long lines of people waiting to undergo PCR tests at the South Sound Community Centre, Public Health is now offering daily confirmation testing in West Bay and Bodden Town for those who have returned positive lateral flow test results.
COVID hospitalisations double as Omicron surge continues
The number of people in hospital from severe cases of COVID-19 almost doubled over the weekend from 8 to 15.
Cayman to cease daily public reporting of COVID numbers
From next week, Cayman health officials will stop giving daily updates on local COVID numbers, and will move to releasing the information on a weekly basis.
Cayman records 15th COVID death
A 15th person has died from COVID-19-related causes, public health officials announced Friday evening.
2 more COVID-related deaths reported
Two more people have died of COVID-19-related causes, bringing the total number of deaths to 14, Public Health officials reported on Tuesday evening.
Cayman’s isolation woes: In their own words
The Cayman Compass invited readers to share their testing and isolation stories with us. Here, in their own words, are some of their stories.
Suspected Omicron cases cross 1,000 mark
Cayman's suspected Omicron cases has crossed the 1000 mark, however official confirmed cases still remained at 89, according to Chief Medical Officer (Interim) Dr. Autilia Newton's latest COVID-19 report released Friday night.
