Topic: COVID-19
American Airlines cancels December return, flights to resume in 2022
American Airlines has confirmed it will not be resuming flights to Grand Cayman until February 2022.
PAHO/WHO appoints new representative to the Cayman Islands
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization has appointed Ian Stein to be the representative to Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
Businesses shift gears to live with COVID-19
As COVID-19 community cases are becoming more widespread, local businesses are preparing to 'coexist with the virus' by aiming for an operational and mindset...
38 new community COVID cases recorded
Cayman recorded 38 new cases of community transmission of COVID on Monday, the majority of which are school children, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said in his latest update.
‘Freedom of choice’ demonstrations held as gov’t debates vaccine mandates
Nearly 200 people gathered outside Parliament Monday to demonstrate against a pair of bills debated by parliamentarians Monday that would require COVID-19 vaccinations for non-Caymanians.
Opposition calls for withdrawal of ‘discriminatory’ vaccine law changes
Opposition lawmakers Monday morning called for government to withdraw proposed vaccination law changes just hours before Cayman's parliamentarians were set to debate a pair of bills that would require vaccinations for many of Cayman's residents and visitors.
Demonstrators gather to protest vaccine bill
Hundreds of people gathered outside Government House, along West Bay Road on Saturday 2 Oct., to voice their opposition to a proposed bill that would amend the Immigration (Transition) Act to make a COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for work permit holders.
Study: Surgical masks more effective than cloth
A new study, the largest of its kind, by a group of scientists from Yale, Stanford and UC Berkeley universities and other institutions has shown that masks, especially surgical masks, are effective at protecting against COVID-19.
11 new cases of community transmission reported
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Wellness have reported 11 new cases of community COVID-19 transmission, spanning four schools, a preschool and two instances in which there is no known connection to other positive results.
The Resh Hour with Deputy Premier Chris Saunders
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders joins Compass journalist Reshma Ragoonath to discuss Cayman's COVID-19 response.
Additional step added after inadvertent quarantine release
Public Health has said an additional automated step is being implemented for the release of individuals who are quarantining after a COVID-19 positive traveller was inadvertently released from isolation.
World Heart Day: COVID’s risk to the heart
With Wednesday, 29 Sept., being World Heart Day, the Cayman Compass spoke to a cardiology specialist in Florida who discussed the impact COVID has on heart patients, as well as the way the virus can attack the heart in patients who have no previous cardiac issues.
Prospect Primary student tests positive for COVID
A year six student at Prospect Primary School has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, Public Health confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
UK dry ice shortage delays vaccine shipment
Cayman's next shipment of COVID-19 vaccines has been delayed until Saturday due to a shortage of dry ice in the UK, the Governor's Office has confirmed.
5 new local COVID cases among 17 positive results
Five further cases of community transmission have been reported Monday, three of which are connected to the first local outbreak of COVID-19 since last year and two linked to the George Town Primary School outbreak.
Primary school mask mandate counter to international advice
The requirement for children over age 5 to wear a mask in school, if they cannot maintain a distance of 6 feet from others, runs counter to guidance offered by the World Health Organization and the Department of Education in England.
All airport staff should be vaccinated
I am a quarantined triple-vaccinated visitor. I read everything in the Cayman Compass. As I passed through the airport, I asked the health workers and...
Bill mandating vaccines for work-permit holders heads to Parliament
Government is moving ahead with plans to mandate vaccinations for new and renewing work permit holders in the Cayman Islands.
Closed border is hurting Caymanians
We miss visiting . Our annual two-week trip was cancelled last year, and it looks like this year will also provide no joy. Our...
Gov’t mandates masks indoors
The Cayman Islands government Thursday evening published regulations that include mask mandates, restrictions on scuba gear rental and public gatherings. Many of the regulations were not discussed or announced by lawmakers during a nearly two hour COVID-19 press conference Thursday at Government Administration Building.
COVID outbreak in check after 10,000 negative tests
More than 10,000 people have been screened for COVID-19 and tested negative in the past two weeks, health officials revealed Thursday.
75% of vaccinated residents have access to digital certificates
Cayman's Health Services Authority has said nearly 40,000 individuals' securely verified digital COVID-19 vaccination records with QR code have been uploaded into its MyHSA Patient Portal.
Cayman’s doctors ‘ready’ for COVID impact
Cayman's medical fraternity is ready for a potential increase in cases of COVID-19, should that situation arise as a result of opening Cayman's borders.
New quarantine rules kick in
Verified vaccinated residents and travellers will now have to quarantine for seven days starting Wednesday, according to the latest update to Cayman's COVID-19 protocols.
Police: File on COVID-positive airline passenger to go to DPP
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service says it plans to send a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions shortly on a Cayman Airways passenger who entered the island despite testing positive for COVID-19 prior to departing from Jamaica.
No new community cases as first two people receive booster shots
Cayman's locally transmitted COVID-19 cases remained at 28 Wednesday morning as Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee confirmed there were no new local cases in the latest round of tests.
What is the risk to Cayman from a COVID outbreak?
Once the borders reopen to vaccinated travellers, Cayman Islands leaders are anticipating that some degree of exposure to COVID-19 is inevitable. But what exactly is the risk from COVID at this point?
Quarantine breach case heads to court in October
Two West Bay men charged with breaching quarantine are due to make their initial Summary Court appearance next month.
Antigua and Barbuda mandates vaccines for gov’t employees
Antigua and Barbuda has announced that from today, 20 Sept., all unvaccinated government employees are required to remain at home, and will not be paid from 1 Oct. unless they can prove they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Teachers and eligible students must also be vaccinated before being allowed to return to face-to-face classes.
Eight travellers test positive in latest COVID-19 results
Eight travellers have returned positive COVID-19 results, in tests conducted since Saturday.
George Town Primary parent investigated for quarantine breach
A George Town Primary School parent is under investigation by police, the Public Health Department and Travel Cayman for breaching quarantine.
Quarantining George Town Primary families receive assistance
Hundreds of families forced into an unexpected quarantine following a COVID-19 outbreak at George Town Primary School, some with little to no food and...
New rules coming for travel to Sister Islands and boating
Mandatory COVID-19 tests for unvaccinated travellers leaving Grand Cayman for the sister islands and strict boating restrictions are just some of the new COVID-19 regulations being implemented this week.
Government issues new mask mandate for all public schools
The Ministry of Education has mandated the wearing of masks in all public school in almost all circumstances.
Another George Town Primary student tests positive for COVID-19
One more child has tested positive form the George Town Primary School community outbreak of COVID-19 said Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee.
Governor: 11,000 new vaccines arriving this month
Governor Martyn Roper announced Friday that another 11,000 vaccines will be arriving on the 27 Sept. British Airways flight, which can be used for first and second doses, and for booster shots.
UK to remove pre-test for vaccinated travellers
United Kingdom Transport Minister Grant Shapps has announced to the removal of Britain's traffic list travel list and the introduction of a new two-tier plan which will ease travel requirements for the vaccinated passengers.
No new local COVID cases in most recent results
In an update on the latest COVID-19 results, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said there were no new local positive cases, but two travellers exiting from quarantine had returned positive results.
Editorial: It’s time to take the reopening leap
Cayman has done an exemplary job at every stage of this pandemic, but the days of prevention are now gone. COVID-19 is in our community, even with the borders closed. Handling the reopening is the final hurdle. We must have the courage to take that leap.
Ask the Experts: Cayman’s doctors talk vaccines & COVID-19
A selection of highlights from the roundtable discussion on vaccines and COVID-19.
WORC staffer isolated after COVID-19 contact
A Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman staff member has been placed in isolation and fellow co-workers sent on remote working and shift duties after contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Nine more George Town Primary School students test positive
Nine more children have tested positive in connection with the George Town Primary School outbreak, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said Thursday.
George Town Primary student and family flagged in suspected breach
Public Health has said a George Town Primary School student and family were placed in 14 day home isolation after a suspected breach in which three individuals traveled to Cayman Brac recently.
Legal action threatened against mandatory vaccinations
The Christian Association for Civics and Political Education has warned that it will initiate legal proceedings against the government, if it passes any legislation that mandates COVID-19 vaccinations.
Prisons closed to public as staffer tests COVID-19 positive
The Cayman Islands Prison Service has closed the doors of Northward and Fairbanks to the public and restricted movement internally after a prisons employee tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday night.
Opposition continues calls for cooperation despite chilly response
Opposition legislators have renewed their offer of assistance to Premier Wayne Panton and his administration as Cayman navigates the reemergence of COVID-19.
Governor’s Office: Cayman expected to remain on UK’s ‘green watchlist’
Cayman's place on the UK's travel list is expected to remain unchanged even though the country has now moved from sporadic/imported COVID-19 cases to level one community transmission.
Local COVID cases rise to 17
Cayman's locally transmitted COVID-19 cases have now crossed the double digit mark, to 17, as Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee confirmed that 10 people are now connected to the outbreak at George Town Primary School.
Restrictions on the way for Sister Islands
Security measures are being planned for the Sister Islands to protect the vulnerable residents there, Premier Wayne Panton said on Tuesday, as cases of COVID-19 community transmission on Grand Cayman neared double digits.
Cayman’s tourism leaders condemn delay in reopening
Tourism business leaders have condemned government’s decision to delay the reopening of the border, claiming it is not based on scientific evidence and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of Caymanians.
HSA confirms COVID-19 positive staffer
A staffer at Health Services Authority's East End Health Centre has tested positive for COVID-19 forcing the temporary closure of the facility.
Border reopening on hold as local COVID cases rise
Cayman is putting its border reopening plan on hold, as health officials announce that a total of eight people have contracted COVID-19 through community transmission.
George Town Primary parents concerned as COVID test results awaited
COVID-19 testing commenced on Tuesday for families, students and staff at George Town Primary School, following news of a student testing positive overnight.
George Town Primary student tests positive for COVID
George Town Primary School will be closed on Tuesday following confirmation that one of its Year 6 students has tested positive for COVID-19.
16 travellers test positive for COVID
Cayman has recorded 16 new COVID-19 cases, three of which were detected at the end of their five-day quarantine period, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported Monday evening.
Local COVID transmission prompts 401 first-time jabs on Friday
News of three cases of COVID-19 within the community have prompted long lines at the vaccination clinics on Friday.
Panic buying clears shelves after COVID announcement
Caymanian shoppers rushed to local supermarkets to stock up on toilet roll, disinfectants and hand sanitiser following news on Thursday of two locally transmitted COVID-19 cases.
Businesses reinstate mask mandates as COVID re-emerges in community
With Thursday's news of two positive COVID-19 cases within the local community, some businesses are now instituting mandatory mask requirements as well as limiting customer capacity.
Quarantine breaches head to court
Public Health continues to investigate how two individuals with no travel history contracted the virus, as two breach cases are expected to be heard in Summary Court during the week beginning 13 Sept.
Local COVID transmission prompts panic buying
In scenes reminiscent of March 2020, shoppers have been flocking to local supermarkets to stock up on toilet roll, disinfectants and hand sanitiser, following news of two local transmission COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
Incoming COVID-positive traveller allowed to board Cayman Airways flight
A passenger who tested positive for COVID-19 in Jamaica was allowed to board a Cayman Airways flight and fly to Grand Cayman, the airline confirmed Thursday night.
Health warning over ‘donkey doses’ of Ivermectin in Cayman
Health chiefs are urging doctors not to prescribe high doses of the drug Ivermectin to patients concerned about COVID-19.
Two patients confirmed as positive local transmission COVID cases
Health officials have confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in Cayman involving local transmission.
Suspected local transmission COVID case being probed
A local resident, along with first responders, has been isolated as the Health Services Authority investigates Cayman's first suspected community transmission COVID-19 case since last year.
24 test positive for COVID-19
Cayman has recorded 24 new COVID-19 cases, more than half of which were unvaccinated individuals and included 11 family groups, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported Monday evening.
Education minister: Why I waited so long to get vaccinated
Education Minister Juliana O'Connor-Connolly received her second COVID-19 vaccination last week, several months after her government colleagues rolled up their sleeves to get their jabs.
Five travellers test positive for COVID-19
Cayman's confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased by five, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported Monday.
Cayman’s vaccination rate slows
Cayman's COVID-19 vaccinations have continued at a slow trickle with fewer than 100 people taking the jab between government's coronavirus updates issued on Monday and Wednesday.
Jamaica tightens COVID-19 measures as hospitals cross max capacity
Jamaicans will face increased curfew hours and stricter measures starting Wednesday, 11 Aug., as the country's hospitals grapple with a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
At death’s door: Caymanian doctor survives COVID
Caymanian doctor Colin Charles was about to take his final exams in March for his specialisation in obstetrics and gynaecology, at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, when everything came to a screeching halt.
Ministers’ Association: Religion no reason not to take vaccine
The Cayman Ministers’ Association has dismissed claims that religion should be used as a reason to refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ship crew member tests negative for COVID
A foreign ship crew member who was admitted to hospital in Cayman after displaying possible COVID-19 symptoms has tested negative for the virus.
