Topic: COVID-19
COVID-19 patient dies from pre-existing health conditions
A 73-year-old unvaccinated male who had tested positive for COVID-19 died at Cayman Islands Hospital on Saturday, 13 Nov., making it the first coronavirus-related death since the start of 2021.
Health Minister: Be mindful of COVID-19 during long weekend
Health Minister Sabrina Turner is urging residents to be mindful of potentially contracting or spreading the coronavirus during remembrance day celebrations.
Premier: ‘Not bothered’ by CDC advisory, hospitalisations low despite COVID spike
Premier Wayne Panton has said while the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control's advisory against Cayman is "regrettable" he is not worried that it will have a negative impact on visitors coming here when borders unlock next week.
Blue Water Medical sues government over COVID test order
A Cayman Islands medical supply company has filed a lawsuit against government over a cancelled order for 500,000 lateral flow test kits.
COVID drug not yet available to Cayman
Efforts are under way to find alternative sources of the recently approved COVID-19 drug molnupiravir, as Cayman is unable to get supplies of the pill from the United Kingdom, according to Health Services Authority Chief Pharmacist Colin Medford.
Stop forcing lateral flow tests on children
The psychological impact on children subjected to a daily lateral flow test requires no clinical determination. Similarly, the effects on parents tasked to administer...
186 new COVID cases reported
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has reported that, as of 8am Thursday, 1,098 PCR tests had been conducted in the past 24 hours, with the Public Health Department confirming there were 186 positive results.
UCCI moves to remote learning
The University College Cayman Islands has moved to remote teaching and learning for the remainder of its fall semester, it has confirmed.
Chinese, Indian vaccines added to Cayman’s approved vaccine list
Chinese vaccines Sinopharm, Sinovac and the Serum Institute of India version ‘Covishield’ have now been added to Cayman's approved COVID-19 vaccine list paving the way for a wider scope of visitors to return to these shores.
Three in critical care, 325 new cases reported
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported that, as of 8am Wednesday, 1,413 PCR tests had been conducted in the 24 hours since Tuesday, with the Public Health Department confirming there were 325 positive results.
Caribbean tourism is on the comeback trail
Caribbean tourism leaders are cautiously optimistic about the revival of the industry with preliminary data suggesting the region outperformed the rest of the world in the first half of 2021.
Turks and Caicos: A rival and a trailblazer in post-COVID tourism
The Turks and Caicos Islands is enjoying record tourism numbers even amid the pandemic. Has the success of a fellow British Overseas Territory come at Cayman’s expense or has it ‘cracked the code’ that our leaders can follow to revive a crumbling pillar of the economy?
69 new local COVID cases reported
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has reported that as of 8am Tuesday, 1,259 PCR tests had been conducted in the 24 hours since Monday, with the Public Health Department confirming there were 73 positive results.
Active COVID cases cross 2,000 mark
Cayman's active COVID-19 cases reached a new high of 2,118, as a record 669 new community cases were logged by Public Health from 8am Friday to 8am Monday.
COVID contingency: Testing key to keeping frontline workers in action
Regular testing, enhanced staffing and overtime are among the measures being introduced to keep emergency services fully operational as COVID-19 cases continue to escalate.
Cayman the world’s hotspot for COVID infections
The Cayman Islands is currently the world’s hotspot for new COVID-19 cases.
194 community COVID cases reported in latest update
There have been 194 positive COVID-19 test results from the community, as of 8am on Friday, since the last report from Public Health the day before.
75 community cases of COVID reported in latest update
As of 9am on Thursday, 4 Nov., there have been 2,557 positives across the Cayman Islands since March 2020, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee.
125 new local cases reported, 11 now in hospital
The Public Health Department reported 125 new local transmission cases of COVID-19 in Cayman, bringing the islands' total active cases to 1,421. Three more people have been hospitalised, meaning there are now 11 people with the virus in hospital.
Britain approves Merck’s COVID-19 pill in world first
Britain on Thursday became the first country in the world to approve a potentially game-changing COVID-19 antiviral pill jointly developed by U.S.-based Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, in a boost to the fight against the pandemic.
Teachers, uniformed services staff to get booster shots
Public Health announced Thursday that teachers, police, fire officers, prison and Customs and Border Control staff are now eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccination boosters.
Cayman’s day-to-day life under phase 3
As we await further details on what phase 4 of government's reopening plan will look like, those of you hoping to visit the Cayman Islands following the anticipated 20 Nov. border reopening may be wondering what day-to-day life is like right now in the islands.
111 new local COVID reports, bringing active cases to 1,299
In its latest update, the Public Health Department reported 111 new local COVID cases, bringing the total number of active cases in the Cayman Islands to 1,299.
Tourism workers look to rebuild lives and careers
After more than a year out of work, Caymanian tourism employees are hoping the skills they have built in the interim will help them build their careers.
Positive COVID-19 passenger charged for travelling to Cayman
A 28-year-old woman is due to make an initial Summary Court appearance on Tuesday, 2 Nov., on a charge of breach of COVID-19 suppression regulations, for travelling to Cayman, despite having tested positive for COVID-19.
Explainer: New lateral flow test policy aims to cut down on isolations
Government has released formal guidelines on the use of lateral flow tests (LTF) with the aim of reducing isolation times for close contacts of positive cases and managing the strain placed on local labs doing COVID-19 testing.
Panton: Gov’t committed to reopening date, dismisses lockdown rumours
Although Cayman is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases this week Premier Wayne Panton has said government will press on with plans to reopen on 20 November.
Community outbreak on the rise, as 153 new COVID cases discovered
Cayman’s COVID-19 community outbreak continues to spread as new data from medical officials shows an additional 153 people have tested positive for the virus, along with one traveller.
Public Health: Don’t trick or treat if you feel unwell
With Cayman's COVID-19 cases sharply increasing, Public Health is advising anyone who may be ill or have a sick family member to stay home this weekend as people get ready to celebrate Halloween.
UK to accept Cayman’s digital COVID vaccination record
From Monday, 1 Nov., the UK will accept Cayman’s digital vaccine certificates through the Health Services Authority Patient Portal, the Governor's Office announced on Friday.
Cayman’s COVID numbers ‘disturbing’
From a Canadian who has been to Cayman more than 50 times in the last quarter century:
Your Cayman COVID numbers are very disturbing. My...
‘Naturally COVID-immune’ visitors want to return to Cayman
We have been yearly visitors to the Cayman Islands since 1979.
It is quite regrettable that Cayman would not open its borders to those of...
Flu clinic hours extended as cases mount
With local COVID-19 cases on the rise the Health Services Authority has expanded operating hours at the Flu Clinic starting Thursday.
126 positive results in latest update
There were 126 positive COVID-19 test results reported Wednesday, 123 of which are believed to be locally transmitted cases, according to a press release issued on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Increasing COVID cases delay notification of positive results
The rapidly growing number of cases in the Cayman Islands is leading to a delay in notifying those who have tested positive, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said on Wednesday.
Local cases spark mass COVID testing on Cayman Brac
Fuelled by fears over a community outbreak of COVID-19 after two people on Cayman Brac tested positive on Monday, and a further 17 cases were discovered the following day, a long queue of cars lined up at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre on Wednesday as people sought to get swabbed.
Cayman’s changing culinary scene
In the approximately 18 months since Cayman closed its borders to cruise and commercial air traffic, the culinary and bar scene has shifted. Some...
Active cases now 320, majority showing symptomatic signs
The majority of Cayman's 320 active COVID-19 cases are showing signs of the coronavirus, the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health and Wellness have revealed.
Breast cancer surgery wait list grows as COVID impacts medical travel
The waiting list for breast cancer surgeries and reconstructive surgeries is growing as patients and doctors face travel challenges here and aboard due to COVID-19, Breast Cancer Foundation Chief Administrator Janette Fitzgerald has said.
$1 million set aside for stipends for quarantining families
The government has approved $1 million to fund a stipend for Caymanians and permanent residency holders who have lost earnings while in quarantine as a result of the local outbreak of COVID-19.
Tourism, business sectors welcome border-reopening announcement
Premier Wayne Panton's announcement that Cayman's borders will reopen on 20 Nov. was cautiously welcomed on Friday by tourism and business industry leaders, as well as members of the public and tourists hoping to visit the Islands.
Governor and premier receive booster jabs
On Friday morning, Governor Martyn Roper and Premier Wayne Panton joined the growing number of people opting for a third, or booster, dose of the vaccine.
Six children among 28 new community cases of COVID-19
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported on Thursday that there were 28 new cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in Cayman, of which six are children.
Business leaders call for November reopening
Business leaders across multiple industries are calling for Cayman's borders to reopen on November 22.
3 children among 15 new community cases of COVID-19
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported on Wednesday that there were 15 new cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in Cayman, of which three are children.
Gov’t to review COVID protocols for sports facilities
Less than a month since government mandated a range of requirements for gyms and indoor sporting facilities, Premier Wayne Panton has vowed to make...
Opposition hits out at ‘vague’ reopening plans
Government needs to outline a clear plan for how and when it will reopen the island’s borders, Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has said.
14 further community COVID-19 positives reported
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported an additional 14 community cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
19 children among 42 cases of community transmission
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported on Monday that there are 42 new cases of community transmission of COVID-19, of which 19 are children.
COVID-19 lateral flow pilot programme launched
Nearly 70 families were signed up to participate in a COVID-19 lateral flow testing programme on Saturday 16 Oct.
Law mandating vaccinations for non-Caymanians in effect
Law changes that now require COVID-19 vaccinations for non-Caymanians have come into force, which means that, as of 14 Oct., any work permit application, new or renewal, must show proof of vaccination.
13 community positives reported, as first dose vaccinations cross 79%
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has reported thirteen community positives on Friday, including five children.
Eight children among 13 new community positives
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported on Wednesday that there are 13 new cases of community transmission of COVID-19, of which eight are children.
Tennis activities continue with COVID precautions
The Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands is continuing operations as normal despite the outbreak of COVID-19 in the community, according to head coach Tariq Jacob.
Explainer: How do lateral flow tests work?
As plans move ahead to roll out lateral flow tests in Cayman as part of screenings for COVID-19 in local schools, the Compass takes a look at how effective they are and how they work.
Five children among eight new local COVID-19 cases
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported eight new community cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, of which five are children.
More than 1,400 people in isolation amid uptick in community cases
A total of 1,415 individuals, including families impacted by the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in schools, remain in isolation, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Turner urges focus on mental health
Health and Wellness Minister Sabrina Turner has urged the community to pay close attention to their mental health as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in mental health cases.
Cayman’s first lateral flow COVID-19 tests arrive Monday
Cayman's first batch of lateral flow tests, which are expected to be used initially for screening of those in isolation due to COVID-19 outbreak in schools, will arrive on the BA flight on Monday.
COVID-19 testing for Prospect Primary Year 6 on Tuesday
Public Health has said it will be conducting COVID-19 exit testing for students, their households and teachers of Prospect Primary School Year 6 (Harris) on Tuesday.
Caymanian teen recovering in Miami after rare diagnosis
Caymanian teenager Jacqueline Aubert is on the mend after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare condition which doctors said was triggered following her second COVID-19 vaccine dose last month.
21 new community COVID cases; 16 are children
As of Friday morning, 8 Oct., 21 new cases of local transmission of COVID-19 have been reported out of 763 PCR tests processed since Thursday.
Guidelines issued for camps, events as early mid-term break begins
With schools out early for mid-term break, Public Health officials are encouraging local camps and those hosting sporting events to observe all the necessary protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19
First Baptist moves up midterm break as more students test positive
First Baptist Christian Academy officials have decided to take the midterm break early, starting Monday on the heels of three new cases at local school.
COVID regulations force sports entities to pivot
From caps on crowds to restrictions on equipment, Cayman's sports associations and athletes are having to pivot to keep in line with the country's COVID-19 regulations.
Lee: Rapid home tests may be here after mid-term break
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee says self-administered lateral flow tests, which can be used at home to detect COVID antigens rapidly, are expected to be available when schools return after the mid-term break.
COVID-positive child hospitalised amid 5 new cases
The latest COVID-19 test results show there are five new community transmission cases of COVID-19, all involving children, one of whom has been admitted to hospital.
Staff shortages prompt early mid-term breaks for gov’t schools
Government schools across Grand Cayman will begin mid-term break early as the number of students testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of staff in isolation relating to those cases continue to rise.
The Resh Hour with Mark Ray, Department of Education Services
Director of the Department of Education Services Mark Ray joins Compass journalist Reshma Ragoonath to discuss the recent outbreaks in schools, new COVID guidelines and mask mandates.
Plans under way to bring rapid COVID-19 home tests to Cayman
Government plans to introduce new regulations that will pave the way for the use of rapid lateral flow COVID-19 tests on island by the Health Services Authority and the private sector.
10 new local COVID cases reported
Cayman recorded 10 new cases of community transmission of COVID-19 on Tuesday and five in travellers, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Gov’t: Assistance to be given to quarantiners in local outbreaks
Health Minister Sabrina Turner said in Parliament Tuesday that the government would be announcing plans this week to assist people who are in mandatory quarantine because of the recent local COVID-19 outbreaks.
